Latrine behaviour and faecal corticosterone metabolites as indicators of habitat-related responses of wild rabbits to predation risk

Abstract Ethical responsibility, legal requirements and the need to improve the quality of research create a growing interest in the welfare of laboratory animals. Judging the welfare of animals requires readout parameters, which are valid and sensitive as well as specific to assess distress after different interventions. In the present study, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of different non-invasive parameters (body weight change, faecal corticosterone metabolites concentration, burrowing and nesting activity) by receiver operating characteristic curves and judged the merit of a multi-parametric analysis by logistic regression. Chronic pancreatitis as well as laparotomy caused significant changes in all parameters. However, the accuracy of these parameters was different between the two animal models. In both animal models, the multi-parametric analysis relying on all the readout parameters had the highest accuracy when predicting distress. This multi-parametric analysis revealed that C57BL/6 mice during the course of chronic pancreatitis often experienced less distress than mice after laparotomy. Interestingly these data also suggest that distress does not steadily increase during chronic pancreatitis. In conclusion, combining these non-invasive methods for severity assessment represents a reliable approach to evaluate animal distress in models such as chronic pancreatitis.

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Non-invasive methods to measure inter-renal function in aquatic salamanders—correlating fecal corticosterone to the environmental and physiologic conditions of captive Necturus

Conservation Physiology ◽

10.1093/conphys/coz074 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Andrew H Nagel ◽

Mark Beshel ◽

Christopher J DeChant ◽

Sarah M Huskisson ◽

Mark K Campbell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Renal Function ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Reproductive Activity ◽

Acth Challenge ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Breeding Activity ◽

Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Aquatic Salamanders ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites

We measured faecal corticosterone metabolites (fCMs) in aquatic salamander Necturus to understand how inter-renal function changes throughout seasonal environmental changes and associated reproductive activity. fCMs elevated with lower water temperatures and breeding activity. To overcome some challenges associated with faecal hormone collection/analysis, waterborne corticosterone (wCM) was validated through ACTH challenge.

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Excretion of corticosteroid metabolites in urine and faeces of rats

Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1258/0023677011911886 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 307-314 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

E. Bamberg ◽

R. Palme ◽

J. G. Meingassner

Keyword(s):

High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽

Diurnal Variation ◽

Intraperitoneal Injection ◽

High Performance ◽

Isotonic Saline ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Sprague Dawley Rats ◽

Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Low Levels ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites

Stress enhances the production of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex, resulting in the increased excretion of their metabolites in urine and faeces. An intraperitoneal injection of radioactive corticosterone was applied to adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats to monitor the route and delay of excreted metabolites in urine and faeces. Peak concentrations appeared in urine after 3.2 ± 1.9 h and in faeces after 16.7 ± 4.3 h. Altogether about 20% of the recovered metabolites were found in urine and about 80% in faeces. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), several peaks of radioactive metabolites were found. Some metabolites were detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using two different antibodies (corticosterone, 11β-OH-aetiocholanolone). There was a marked diurnal variation with low levels of faecal corticosterone metabolites in the evening and higher values in the morning. This diurnal variation was influenced neither by the intraperitoneal injection of isotonic saline nor by ACTH. However, the administration of dexamethasone eliminated the morning peak for 2 days.

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Long-Tailed Pygmy Rice Rats Modify Their Behavioural Response and Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites in Response to Culpeo Fox but Not to Lesser Grison

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11113036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 3036

Author(s):

María del Carmen Hernández ◽

André V. Rubio ◽

Isabel Barja

Keyword(s):

Physiological Stress ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Behavioural Response ◽

Predator Species ◽

Predator Cues ◽

Capture Ratio ◽

Physiological Stress Response ◽

Phase 0 ◽

Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites

Even though behavioural and physiological reactions to predation risk exhibited by prey species have received considerable attention in scientific journals, there are still many questions still unsolved. Our aim was to broaden the knowledge on one specific question: do long-tailed pygmy rice rats adapt their behavioural and physiological antipredator strategies depending on the predator species? For this question, we live-trapped in a temperate forest in Southern Chile long-tailed pygmy rice rats (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), which were exposed to three predator odour phases (Phase 0: preliminary, no predator cues; Phase 1: one plot with culpeo fox faeces (Lycalopex culpaeus), one plot with lesser grison (Galictis cuja) faeces and one plot acting as a control with no odour; Phase 2: post treatment, no predator cues). We measured the behavioural response by the capture ratio. To assess the physiological stress response, we collected fresh faecal samples to quantify faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM). Our results showed that O. longicaudatus increased both the capture ratio and FCM levels in the presence of culpeo cues. Culpeo foxes have higher densities in the study area than G. cuja and exhibit a higher activity pattern overlap with O. longicaudatus. Moreover, it has been also been reported in other regions that L. culpaeus consumption of O. longicaudatus is more frequent compared to G. cuja diet. The increase in capturability could be because traps can be regarded as a shelter in high-risk settings, but it can also be explained by the predator inspection behaviour. The increase in FCM concentrations during culpeo treatment can be linked to the adaptive mobilisation of energy to execute antipredator responses to increase survival chances.

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Diagnostic Ability of Methods Depicting Distress of Tumor-Bearing Mice

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082155 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2155

Author(s):

Wentao Xie ◽

Marcel Kordt ◽

Rupert Palme ◽

Eberhard Grambow ◽

Brigitte Vollmar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Change ◽

Body Weight Change ◽

Diagnostic Ability ◽

Human Malignant Melanoma ◽

Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves ◽

Distress Score ◽

Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Burrowing Activity ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites

Subcutaneous tumor models in mice are the most commonly used experimental animal models in cancer research. To improve animal welfare and the quality of scientific studies, the distress of experimental animals needs to be minimized. For this purpose, one must assess the diagnostic ability of readout parameters to evaluate distress. In this study, we evaluated different noninvasive readout parameters such as body weight change, adjusted body weight change, faecal corticosterone metabolites concentration, burrowing activity and a distress score by utilising receiver operating characteristic curves. Eighteen immunocompromised NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ mice were used for this study; half were subcutaneously injected with A-375 cells (human malignant melanoma cells) that resulted in large tumors. The remaining mice were inoculated with SCL-2 cells (cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells), which resulted in small tumors. The adjusted body weight and faecal corticosterone metabolites concentration had a high diagnostic ability in distinguishing between mice before cancer cell injection and mice bearing large tumors. All other readout parameters had a low diagnostic ability. These results suggest that adjusted body weight and faecal corticosterone metabolites are useful to depict the distress of mice bearing large subcutaneous tumors.

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Regular touchscreen training affects faecal corticosterone metabolites and anxiety-like behaviour in mice

Behavioural Brain Research ◽

10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113080 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 401 ◽

pp. 113080

Author(s):

Viktoria Krakenberg ◽

Maximilian Wewer ◽

Rupert Palme ◽

Sylvia Kaiser ◽

Norbert Sachser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites

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An exploratory investigation of glucocorticoids, personality and survival rates in wild and rehabilitated hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Denmark

BMC Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1186/s12862-021-01816-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sophie Lund Rasmussen ◽

Otto Kalliokoski ◽

Torben Dabelsteen ◽

Klas Abelson

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

European Population ◽

Spatial Behaviour ◽

Personality Tests ◽

Erinaceus Europaeus ◽

Exploratory Investigation ◽

Wildlife Rehabilitation ◽

In Captivity ◽

Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites

Abstract Background The European population of hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) is declining. It is therefore essential to optimise conservation initiatives such as the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs. Wild animals placed in captivity may be prone to chronic stress, potentially causing negative health effects. Therefore, the effects of these rehabilitation efforts should consequently be evaluated. Furthermore, hand-raising orphaned hedgehogs is a laborious and costly task, and it is therefore relevant to document whether they have equal post release survival rates compared to their wild conspecifics. The objectives of this research were therefore to conduct an exploratory study of glucocorticoid levels in hedgehogs from different backgrounds and compare the post release survival of translocated, rehabilitated and wild, juvenile hedgehogs as well as the possible effect on survival of differences in shy or bold behaviour (personality) exhibited by individuals. Results We measured glucocorticoid levels in 43 wild-caught (n = 18) and rehabilitated (n = 25) hedgehogs and compared the post release survival and spatial behaviour of 18 translocated juvenile hedgehogs (eight hand-raised and ten wild) until hibernation. The possible effect on survival of differences in shy or bold behaviour (personality) exhibited by 17 juvenile individuals (seven hand-raised and ten wild) was also examined. Rehabilitated individuals and females had higher levels of faecal corticosterone metabolites compared to wild individuals and males, respectively. Rehabilitated individuals showed higher levels of saliva corticosterone than wild. The personality tests labelled 13 individuals as shy and 11 as bold. Post release survival was 57% for rehabilitated and 50% for wild individuals. Neither background nor personality affected post release survival. Home range measures were 3.54 and 4.85 ha. Mean dispersal length from the release sites was 217 ± 100 m. Conclusion The higher levels of corticosterone observed in rehabilitated compared to wild hedgehogs calls for consideration of the duration of admission to wildlife rehabilitation centres to reduce stress levels in the patients. Hand-raised juveniles appear to have the same prospects as wild, and personality does not seem to affect post release survival in hedgehogs, indicating that hand-raising of orphaned juvenile hedgehogs is a relevant contribution to the conservation of this species.

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Corticosterone Metabolite Concentration Is Not Related to Problem Solving in the Fawn-Footed Mosaic-Tailed Rat Melomys cervinipes

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12010082 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 82

Author(s):

Misha K. Rowell ◽

Rachel M. Santymire ◽

Tasmin L. Rymer

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Metabolite Concentration ◽

Cognitive Responses ◽

Complex Environments ◽

Adrenocortical Activity ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Species Specific

Animals can respond physiologically, such as by adjusting glucocorticoid hormone concentrations, to sudden environmental challenges. These physiological changes can then affect behavioural and cognitive responses. While the relationships between adrenocortical activity and behaviour and cognition are well documented, results are equivocal, suggesting species-specific responses. We investigated whether adrenocortical activity, measured using corticosterone metabolite concentration, was related to problem solving in an Australian rodent, the fawn-footed mosaic-tailed rat (Melomys cervinipes). Mosaic-tailed rats live in complex environments that are prone to disturbance, suggesting a potential need to solve novel problems, and have been found to show relationships between physiology and other behaviours. We measured problem solving using five food-baited puzzles (matchbox and cylinder in the home cage, and activity board with pillars to push, tiles to slide and levers to lift in an open field), and an escape-motivated obstruction task in a light/dark box. Faecal samples were collected from individuals during routine cage cleaning. Adrenocortical activity was evaluated non-invasively by measuring faecal corticosterone metabolites using an enzyme immunoassay, which was biochemically and biologically validated. Despite varying over time, adrenocortical activity was not significantly related to problem solving success or time spent interacting for any task. However, as adrenocortical activity is reflective of multiple physiological processes, including stress and metabolism, future studies should consider how other measures of physiology are also linked to problem solving.

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Elevated nest predation risk promotes offspring size variation in birds with prolonged parental care.

10.32942/osf.io/h2mpw ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Gretchen F. Wagner ◽

Emeline Mourocq ◽

Michael Griesser

Keyword(s):

Predation Risk ◽

Reproductive Cycle ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Nest Predation ◽

Bird Species ◽

Size Variation ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Offspring Size ◽

Natural Predation ◽

Risk Spreading

Predation of offspring is the main cause of reproductive failure in many species, and the mere fear of offspring predation shapes reproductive strategies. Yet, natural predation risk is ubiquitously variable and can be unpredictable. Consequently, the perceived prospect of predation early in a reproductive cycle may not reflect the actual risk to ensuing offspring. An increased variance in investment across offspring has been linked to breeding in unpredictable environments in several taxa, but has so far been overlooked as a maternal response to temporal variation in predation risk. Here, we experimentally increased the perceived risk of nest predation prior to egg-laying in seven bird species. Species with prolonged parent-offspring associations increased their intra-brood variation in egg, and subsequently offspring, size. High risk to offspring early in a reproductive cycle can favour a risk-spreading strategy particularly in species with the greatest opportunity to even out offspring quality after fledging.

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