Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in the free-ranging bandicoots (Perameles nasuta and Isoodon obesulus) of northern Sydney

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Dowle ◽  
Koa N. Webster ◽  
Elizabeth Deane
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Metabolite Concentrations ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis ◽  
Competition For Resources ◽  
Ectoparasite Load

Knowledge of how animals cope with their environment is fundamental to the management of free-ranging populations. Urban animals face increased competition for resources, habitat fragmentation and predation. These pressures may impact an individual’s welfare by releasing glucocorticoid hormones in the blood through a response from the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, resulting in altered energy storage and utilisation. This study aimed to determine the applicability of measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in free-ranging bandicoots by using a simple enzyme immunoassay. We used long-nosed and southern brown bandicoots in northern Sydney to investigate whether environmental and demographic variables can influence faecal glucocorticoid metabolites. Long-nosed bandicoots showed similar faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations between suburban backyards and National Park populations. Higher faecal glucocorticoid metabolites were recorded in female southern brown bandicoots than in males, whilst female and male long-nosed bandicoots had similar glucocorticoid metabolite levels. Ectoparasite load, body condition and season did not influence faecal glucocorticoid metabolites. This non-invasive method has a broad application and can be used to provide biological information to guide management of populations within a conservation context.

scholarly journals A predictive model to diagnose pregnancy in guanacos (Lama guanicoe) using non-invasive methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
A. Marozzi ◽  
V.I. Cantarelli ◽  
F.M. Gomez ◽  
A. Panebianco ◽  
L.R. Leggieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Model ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Lama Guanicoe ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Metabolite Concentrations ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
Free Ranging

Pregnancy status is usually not included in ecological studies because it is difficult to evaluate. The use of non-invasive methods to determine pregnancy, without physically restraining individuals, would enable pregnancy to be included in population studies. In this study, we evaluated sex steroid hormones in plasma and fecal samples from pregnant and non-pregnant females to develop a pregnancy predictive model for guanacos (Lama guanicoe (Müller, 1776)). Samples were obtained during live-shearing management (i.e., capture, shear, and release) of guanacos. Enzyme immunoassays were used to evaluate progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) concentrations in plasma and pregnanediol glucuronides (PdG) and conjugated estrogens (EC) in feces. Mean hormonal and fecal metabolite concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant females than in non-pregnant females. A linear relationship was found between each hormone and its fecal metabolite. Finally, hormonal data were combined with an independent source of pregnancy diagnosis such as abdominal ballottement to develop a logistic regression model to diagnose pregnancy in non-handled individuals. The use of predictive models and non-invasive methods might be suitable to incorporate pregnancy information in large-scale population studies on guanaco and other free-ranging ungulates.

Measurement of immunoreactive progestins excreted in faeces as a potential indicator of pregnancy

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 739 ◽  
Author(s):  
NC Larter ◽  
P Arcese ◽  
R Rajamahendran ◽  
CC Gates
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Potential Indicator ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Wood Bison ◽  
Free Ranging

We measured the concentration of immunoreactive progestins extracted from 41 faecal samples of female wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) as a potential indicator of pregnancy. The concentration of faecal progestins fell into two distinct groups, with an approximate 4-fold difference in mean progestin level (1391.9ng g-1 and 58269ng g-1). We suggest that measuring progestin concentration in the faeces of free-ranging animals is a non-invasive method that could be used to assess pregnancy rate.

scholarly journals Effects of active and passive enrichment regimes on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in captive Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirali Panchal ◽  
Chena Desai ◽  
Ratna Ghosal
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Type I ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Cage Size ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Fecal Glucocorticoid

Environmental enrichment improves health and wellbeing of zoo animals. To test this hypothesis, we used Indian leopards, one of the popular zoo animals, as a model system to understand effects of active (interacting) and passive (noninteracting) enrichment elements on stress hormone levels of captive individuals. We included three enrichment categories, category ‘A’ (having both active: large size cage, and passive: controlled temperature, playback of forest sounds and sound proof glasses to filter visitors’ noise, enrichment elements), category ‘B’ (active enrichment type I, small size cage with air coolers), and category C (active enrichment type II, medium size cage without air coolers) for the leopards (n=14) housed in two Indian zoos. We standardized a non-invasive method to measure fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels in captive leopards. The standardized fGCM assay was further validated by analysing samples from free-ranging leopards, as well. The fGCM levels (Mean±SE) were 10.45±2.01 and 0.95±0.003μg/g dry wt of feces in captive and free-ranging leopards, respectively. Our results demonstrated that fGCM levels of leopards in categories B and C were significantly (P<0.05) different from each other, thus, indicating cage size (an active enrichment element) as an important factor in influencing the physiology of the sampled animals. Overall, the findings of the study will contribute towards informing policies for management of the Indian leopards.

scholarly journals Highly Versatile, Non-Invasive Method for Collecting Buccal DNA from Free-Ranging Non-Human Primates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aru Toyoda ◽  
Kazunari Matsudaira ◽  
Tamaki Maruhashi ◽  
Suchinda Malaivijitnond ◽  
Yoshi Kawamoto
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Solution ◽  
Failure Rates ◽  
Allelic Dropout ◽  
Buffer Solution ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Invasive Techniques ◽  
Free Ranging

ABSTRACTNon-invasive techniques for collection of DNA samples of suitable quality and quantity are important for improving the efficiency of genetic wildlife research. The development of a non-invasive method for collection of DNA samples from wild stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides) is described herein. Polyester rope was cut into 10 cm pieces, which were then soaked in a 20% sugar solution to bait individuals. Rope swabs were immediately collected and transferred to a lysis buffer solution after subjects had picked up, chewed, and discarded them. DNA was later extracted from the buffer. Quantitative real-time PCR and both allelic dropout and genotype failure rates were used to compare the quantity and quality of the buccal DNA samples to those of intestinal slough cell DNA samples collected from freshly dropped feces. The buccal samples yielded significantly more DNA (27.1 ± 33.8 ng/μL) than did the fecal samples (11.4 ± 15.4 ng/μL) and exhibited lower allelic dropout and genotyping failure rates for the 10 autosomal microsatellites investigated. Buccal cell collection was also simple, inexpensive, reliable, and less time-consuming compared to fecal sampling. Thus, this method should facilitate genome-wide studies of non-human primates and other wildlife species.

scholarly journals Relative Gene Expression Analysis from Urine Samples of Patients with Prostate Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Jasmin Ramić ◽  
Benjamin Kulovac ◽  
Naida Lojo-Kadrić ◽  
Maida Hadžić ◽  
Naris Pojskić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Expression Analysis ◽  
Malignant Disease ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Fast Method ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Invasive Techniques ◽  
Relative Gene

Conventional screening and diagnostic procedures in prostate complaints rely on PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) concentration which is not specific for prostate cancer and frequently leads to unnecessary invasive procedures in order to exclude malignant disease. It is estimated that approximately 50% of persons who underwent tissue biopsy did so based on false positive PSA value. Therefore a proper and timely differential diagnosis of malignant disease using non-invasive techniques remains one of the biggest challenges in medicine. Urine is the invaluable source of biological information contained in small molecules i.e. RNA that is easily accessible and detectable using molecular genetics techniques. We describe economical and fast method for relative expression analysis applicable to any target gene using urine as a sample. Efficient non-invasive method for identification of malignant or high risk cases prove useful in reduction of patient distress during the diagnostic procedure and significantly reduce healthcare costs.

scholarly journals Life expectancy, family constellation and stress in giant mole-rats ( Fukomys mechowii )

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1823) ◽  
pp. 20200207 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Begall ◽  
R. Nappe ◽  
L. Hohrenk ◽  
T. C. Schmidt ◽  
H. Burda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Family Constellation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis

Giant mole-rats ( Fukomys mechowii ) are remarkably long-lived subterranean rodents (maximum recorded lifespan as reported here greater than 26 years) that live in families with one reproductive pair (breeders) and their non-reproductive offspring (non-breeders). Previous studies have shown that breeders live on average approximately twice as long as non-breeders, a finding contradicting the classic trade-off between reproduction and lifespan. Because recent evidence points to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as playing an important role in shaping the pace of ageing in mole-rats, we analysed the influence of the social environment of giant mole-rats on intrafamilial aggression levels, indicators of long-term stress, and, ultimately, mortality. Behavioural data indicated that family constellation, especially the presence or the absence of parents, influences agonistic behaviour. As a measure of long-term stress, we established a non-invasive method of extracting and measuring cortisol from hair of giant mole-rats. Interestingly, orphaned non-breeders exhibited significantly lower levels of cortisol and lower mortality rates than did non-breeders living with both parents. Because hypercortisolism is harmful in the long-term, intrafamilial stress could help explain the earlier onset of senescence in non-breeders, resulting in a shorter lifespan. Our findings suggest that the social environment should be considered as a further factor in ageing studies involving group-living animals. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ageing and sociality: why, when and how does sociality change ageing patterns?’

Malfunctional Reorganization in the Developing Limbo-Prefrontal System in Animals: Implications for Human Psychoses?

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
Gertraud Teuchert-Noodt ◽  
Ralf R. Dawirs
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Activity Dependent

Abstract: Neuroplasticity research in connection with mental disorders has recently bridged the gap between basic neurobiology and applied neuropsychology. A non-invasive method in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculus) - the restricted versus enriched breading and the systemically applied single methamphetamine dose - offers an experimental approach to investigate psychoses. Acts of intervening affirm an activity dependent malfunctional reorganization in the prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and reveal the dopamine position as being critical for the disruption of interactions between the areas concerned. From the extent of plasticity effects the probability and risk of psycho-cognitive development may be derived. Advance may be expected from insights into regulatory mechanisms of neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus which is obviously to meet the necessary requirements to promote psycho-cognitive functions/malfunctions via the limbo-prefrontal circuit.

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