(Chand and Lovejoy, 2011). Therefore, the experimental
conditions (animals kept separated in small pools under
intense manipulation) could have induced the acyclic pattern
observed in this study.
In conclusion, this is the first in-depth study of ovarian
cycle in the Amazonian manatee. Our results demonstrate
that salivary samples can provide a useful tool for
endocrine monitoring in this species. Although the number
of animals analyzed was small our results suggest that
T. inunguis have peculiar hormonal patterns during the
ovarian cycle, a finding that may have physiological and
ecological significance in the reproductive strategy of these
animals.