Changes in sexual behavior and fecal steroid hormone concentrations during the breeding season in female Hokkaido brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis) under captive condition

Abstract

The longitudinal changes in fecal steroid hormone concentrations and sexual behavior in 2 mated/pregnant and 3 non-mated female Hokkaido brown bears were investigated during the breeding season. Behavioral estrus (standing) lasted for 14 and 32 days in the mated females and for 25 to 36 days in the non-mated females. In non-mated females, sexual behavior, such as female-femalemounting and masturbation, was observed for several days before and after the estrous period. In mated females, mean fecal estradiol-17/β concentrations were higher in the estrous period than in the post-estrous period, while fecal progesterone concentrations were higher in the post-estrous period than in the estrous period. The similar trends of steroid hormone changes were observed in the non-mated females.