scholarly journals Faecal glucocorticoid metabolites as a measure of adrenocortical activity in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Hein ◽  
Rupert Palme ◽  
Katrin Baumgartner ◽  
Lorenzo von Fersen ◽  
Benno Woelfing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Ursus Maritimus ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Polar Bears ◽  
Average Delay ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites

Abstract Analysis of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) is frequently applied to assess adrenocortical activity in animal conservation and welfare studies. Faecal sample collection is non-invasive and feasible under field conditions. FGM levels are also less prone to circadian rhythms, episodic fluctuations and short acute stressors than glucocorticoid (GC) levels obtained from other matrices, for example blood or saliva. To investigate the suitability of FGM measurement in polar bears (Ursus maritimus), a species listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), a cortisol enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was biologically validated by demonstrating a significant increase in FGMs after five zoo-to-zoo transports. In addition to validating the method, the study also documented an average delay of 7 h until the first occurrence of food colorants in the monitored polar bears, which provides essential information for future studies. After validation, the assay was applied to measure FGM concentrations of five polar bears over a 1-year period. Several pre-defined potentially stressful events were recorded in an event log to measure their effect on FGM concentrations. A mixed model analysis revealed significant increases in FGM concentrations after social tension and environmental changes, whereas season and sex had no significant effect. The study demonstrates that the applied cortisol EIA is suitable for measuring FGM levels in polar bears and that using a carefully validated assay for FGM analysis in combination with a detailed sampling protocol can serve as a valuable tool for evaluating mid- to long-term stress in polar bears. FGM levels can be used to monitor stress in captive polar bears in order to optimize housing conditions but also to elucidate stress responses in wild populations for targeted conservation measures.

scholarly journals Measuring Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites to Assess Adrenocortical Activity in Reindeer

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 987
Author(s):  
Şeyda Özkan Gülzari ◽  
Grete Helen Meisfjord Jørgensen ◽  
Svein Morten Eilertsen ◽  
Inger Hansen ◽  
Snorre Bekkevold Hagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Stress Hormones ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
Animal Conservation ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Species Specific

Several non-invasive methods for assessing stress responses have been developed and validated for many animal species. Due to species-specific differences in metabolism and excretion of stress hormones, methods should be validated for each species. The aim of this study was to conduct a physiological validation of an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for measuring faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) in male reindeer by administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH; intramuscular, 0.25 mg per animal). A total of 317 samples were collected from eight male reindeer over a 44 h period at Tverrvatnet in Norway in mid-winter. In addition, 114 samples were collected from a group of reindeer during normal handling and calf marking at Stjernevatn in Norway. Following ACTH injection, FCM levels (median and range) were 568 (268–2415) ng/g after two hours, 2718 (414–8550) ng/g after seven hours and 918 (500–6931) ng/g after 24 h. Levels were significantly higher from seven hours onwards compared to earlier hours (p < 0.001). The FCM levels at Stjernevatn were significantly (p < 0.001) different before (samples collected zero to two hours; median: 479 ng/g) and after calf marking (eight to ten hours; median: 1469 ng/g). Identification of the faecal samples belonging to individual animals was conducted using DNA analysis across time. This study reports a successful validation of a non-invasive technique for measuring stress in reindeer, which can be applied in future studies in the fields of biology, ethology, ecology, animal conservation and welfare.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Assessment of the Seasonal Stress Response to Veterinary Procedures and Transportation of Zoo-Housed Lesser Anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Gabina V. Eguizábal ◽  
Mariella Superina ◽  
Rupert Palme ◽  
Camila J. Asencio ◽  
Daniel P. Villarreal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Natural Activity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Management Procedures

Management procedures affect behavioural and physiological stress responses of wild mammals under human care. According to the Reactive Scope Model, normal values are presumed to exist within predictive and reactive ranges. First, stress parameters of zoo-housed adult Tamandua tetradactyla were evaluated in winter and summer (29 days each), determining the level of behaviour and/or physiological parameters needed to respond to predictable environmental changes. Secondly, the effects of veterinary procedures and transportation were studied in both seasons. Non-invasive methods were applied, assessing behaviour through videos and adrenocortical activity by faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs). Lesser anteaters exhibited seasonality (summer > winter) in some behavioural parameters, such as nocturnal activities, as well as in the activity cycle (e.g., acrophase) and FGMs. A veterinary check elicited an increase in total activity (TA), natural behaviours and repetitive locomotion and affected the activity cycle, particularly in summer. Transport produced changes in TA, nocturnal and natural activity and some variables of the activity cycle, mostly during summer. Although the effects of routine management procedures were different from each other and presumably stressful, they elicited changes only at the behavioural level, which was greater during summer. The differences observed according to non-invasive methodologies highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in this context and suggest that it is unlikely that individual welfare was affected.

scholarly journals Heatwave frequency and seedling death alter stress-specific emissions of volatile organic compounds in Aleppo pine

Oecologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Birami ◽  
Ines Bamberger ◽  
Andrea Ghirardo ◽  
Rüdiger Grote ◽  
Almut Arneth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Methyl Salicylate ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Pinus Halepensis ◽  
Dark Respiration ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Volatile Organic

AbstractBiogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) play important roles in plant stress responses and can serve as stress indicators. While the impacts of gradual environmental changes on BVOCs have been studied extensively, insights in emission responses to repeated stress and recovery are widely absent. Therefore, we studied the dynamics of shoot gas exchange and BVOC emissions in Pinus halepensis seedlings during an induced moderate drought, two four-day-long heatwaves, and the combination of drought and heatwaves. We found clear stress-specific responses of BVOC emissions. Reductions in acetone emissions with declining soil water content and transpiration stood out as a clear drought indicator. All other measured BVOC emissions responded exponentially to rising temperatures during heat stress (maximum of 43 °C), but monoterpenes and methyl salicylate showed a reduced temperature sensitivity during the second heatwave. We found that these decreases in monoterpene emissions between heatwaves were not reflected by similar declines in their internal storage pools. Because stress intensity was extremely severe, most of the seedlings in the heat-drought treatment died at the end of the second heatwave (dark respiration ceased). Interestingly, BVOC emissions (methanol, monoterpenes, methyl salicylate, and acetaldehyde) differed between dying and surviving seedlings, already well before indications of a reduced vitality became visible in gas exchange dynamics. In summary, we could clearly show that the dynamics of BVOC emissions are sensitive to stress type, stress frequency, and stress severity. Moreover, we found indications that stress-induced seedling mortality was preceded by altered methanol, monoterpene, and acetaldehyde emission dynamics.

Relationships Between Plasma Levels of Organochlorines, Retinol and Thyroid Hormones from Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) at Svalbard

2001 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janneche Utne Skaare ◽  
Aksel Bernhoft ◽  
Øystein Wiig ◽  
Kaare R. Norum ◽  
Egil Haug ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Ursus Maritimus ◽  
Polar Bears

New insights into dietary management of polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) and brown bears ( U. arctos )

Zoo Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Robbins ◽  
Troy N. Tollefson ◽  
Karyn D. Rode ◽  
Joy A. Erlenbach ◽  
Amanda J. Ardente
Keyword(s):  
Ursus Maritimus ◽  
Dietary Management ◽  
Polar Bears ◽  
Brown Bears

scholarly journals Three decades (1983–2010) of contaminant trends in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Part 2: Brominated flame retardants

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 494-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rune Dietz ◽  
Frank F. Rigét ◽  
Christian Sonne ◽  
Erik W. Born ◽  
Thea Bechshøft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Brominated Flame Retardants ◽  
Ursus Maritimus ◽  
Polar Bears ◽  
East Greenland

The breeding habitat of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida). The birth lair and associated structures

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 1297-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Smith ◽  
Ian Stirling
Keyword(s):  
Ursus Maritimus ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Polar Bears ◽  
Alopex Lagopus ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Arctic Foxes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Amundsen Gulf

The subnivean lairs of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida) were studied in the Amundsen Gulf and Prince Albert Sound areas from 1971 through 1974. The structure of several different types of lairs are described. The existence of a birth-lair complex consisting of several closely adjacent lairs appears likely. The spacial distribution of lairs and lair types found on refrozen leads and in pressure ridges is described. Lairs were more abundant in inshore ice than in offshore ice. The function of subnivean lairs appears to be to provide thermal shelter, especially for neonate seals, and protection from predation by arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus).

scholarly journals Effect of Diet Supplementation with Quinoa Seed and/or Linseed on Immune Response, Productivity and Meat Quality in Merinos Derived Lambs

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosaria Marino ◽  
Mariangela Caroprese ◽  
Giovanni Annicchiarico ◽  
Francesco Ciampi ◽  
Maria Ciliberti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Close Link ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Strong Relation ◽  
And Control

In the last years several studies have investigated the strong relation between nutrition and immune response in the livestock production, particularly in dairy cattle and sheep. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation based on linseed, quinoa seeds and their combination on welfare, productivity and quality of meat from merinos derived lambs. 32 weaned lambs were divided into 4 experimental groups: quinoa (Q), linseed (LS) and combination of quinoa and linseed (LS + Q) that received the respective supplementation and control group (C) without supplementation. Lambs from all supplemented groups showed lower plasma urea, creatinine and cholesterol than control. Both linseed and quinoa supplementation enhanced the cell-mediated immune responses of lambs, furthermore, linseed supplementation resulted in the lowest level of cortisol secretion after handling, loading and transport. Meat from lambs supplemented with linseed and LS + Q showed the highest pH, at 1 and 3 h post-mortem, while, meat from all supplemented groups was more tender than meat from control. Results indicated that linseed and quinoa seeds supplementation can help the animal to cope with stressful events due to the close link between stress responses and the immune system and for improving meat quality in terms of better tenderness.

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