Daytime variations of serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone in captive thick-tailed bush babies (Galago garnetti)

Abstract

Mean daytime serum levels of testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined in eight male thick-tailed bush babies at different times of the day by radioimmunoassay and leydig cell bioassay respectively. Blood samples were obtained twice a week from each animal at different times of the day between 08:30 and 16:00. This was carried out for a period of eight weeks. There was significantly higher mean serum T levels in the morning compared to evening hours (p<0.05). There was no significant variation in mean serum LH levels, and no significant correlation between serum T and LH levels.