| reproductive hormone monitoring of dugongs in captivity: detecting the onset of sexual maturity in a cryptic marine mammal. | determining the reproductive status of long-term captive animals is essential because the onset of sexual maturity and reproductive activity may necessitate changes in husbandry requirements. this study reports on the first multi-year reproductive hormone monitoring program for captive dugongs of both sexes using feces. fecal samples were collected from one male (pig) over 9 years (4-13.2y of age; n=288 samples, 0.8±0.1 samples per week from july 2007 to february 2012) and one female (wuru) over ... | 2013 | 23870803 |