| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 1994 |
| Authors: | R. J. Van Aarde, van der Merwe, M., Skinner, D. C. |
| Journal: | J. Zool. (Lond.) |
| Volume: | 232 |
| Pagination: | 457-464 |
| Date Published: | 1994 |
| Keywords: | Chiroptera, hormones, Miniopteridae, Miniopterus natalensis, pregnancy, reproduction, South Africa |
| Abstract: | Reproduction in the Natal clinging bat in South Africa at 25°S is characterized by fertilization in April, implantation during July and parturition in November. In the present study plasma progesterone concentrations peaked two months before implantation, this coinciding with significant peaks in ovarian progesterone content and concentration. Plasma progesterone concentrations remained relatively low during and after implantation, but increased significantly during the limb bud stage to peak levels one month before parturition. Adrenal progesterone content and concentration did not follow a specific trend; post-implantation ovarian progesterone content and concentration remained at baseline values. Placental progesterone content increased significantly with foetal weight (age). The present study showed that pregnancy in these bats is characterized by two major sources of progesterone, with the ovary as the primary source before implantation and the placenta the primary source during embryonic and foetal development. |