Panda Hormones (and Hopes) Rise @ National Zoo
Giant panda breeding season just got more interesting! Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute confirmed late last week that Mei Xiang has entered her secondary hormone phase, which means that they saw a rise in her urinary progesterone. This rise means that she is 40 to 50 days away from giving birth to a cub or the end of a pseudopregnancy. Mei has had five pseduopregnancies since 2007, but we are hopeful that she may have a cub this year.
We have started to see some changes in Mei Xiang’s behavior that support what the hormonal data has told us. She is beginning to build her nest and is dragging bamboo shoots in her den. Our scientists will continue to monitor Mei’s hormones from urine samples over the coming weeks, and the veterinary team regular ultrasounds as long as Mei is willing to participate. Before Mei gave birth to her only cub Tai Shan in 2005 she would not cooperate for ultrasounds in the weeks leading up to his birth. Veterinarians will be looking for any changes in her uterus or signs for a developing fetus. They have not seen any changes yet.
We will know when the end of a pseudogpregnancy or the birth of a cub is imminent based on hormonal data. We will close the area of the panda house that Mei will be in to ensure that she is not disturbed by any noise. Visitors will still be able to see Tian Tian out in his yard and inside the panda house as usual. You will also be able to see Mei on the Zoo’s website via the panda cams. We’ll keep you updated on Mei’s progress over the next several weeks.
Source: National Zoo
