Validation of a noninvasive technique to quantify stress in northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

Abstract Examination of the endocrine system through non-invasive fecal sampling may improve population management more than using demographic indicators alone. By addressing the physiological mechanisms that are influencing fitness, management actions can be proactively developed to alleviate stressors. Proactive determination of vulnerable populations is critical for species of concern, such as the Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), which have suffered decades of population decline. We validated an assay to noninvasively measure the adrenocortical response of captive reared bobwhite through fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM). All individuals received three sequential 48-hour treatments in which samples were collected every 4 hours, including a reference period, an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge and a biological stressor (exposure to a hunting dog). Reference FCM values had a mean concentration of 16.75 pg/mg (95% CrI: 13.68, 19.91) with adrenocortical activity increasing by 73% for the duration of the ACTH challenge (29.00 pg/mg; CrI: 25.01, 33.78). FCM concentrations remained similar to that of the reference levels during the biological stressor (16.56 pg/mg; CrI: 13.33, 19.92). Our study validates the use of feces to detect changes in FCM levels in our subject species but also demonstrates the complexity of FCM and the importance of both physiological and biological validation prior to field implementation.

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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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Antibiotic susceptibility of Edwardsiella hoshinae isolated from northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus)

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.155.1.29 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 155 (1) ◽

pp. 29-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

I. M. Singh ◽

S. Singh ◽

M. A. McMurphy ◽

S. S. Crupper ◽

F. Mills-Robertson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽

Colinus Virginianus ◽

Northern Bobwhite ◽

Bobwhite Quail

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Non-Invasive Monitoring of Adrenocortical Activity in Three Sympatric Desert Gerbil Species

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010075 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 75

Author(s):

Álvaro Navarro-Castilla ◽

Mario Garrido ◽

Hadas Hawlena ◽

Isabel Barja

Keyword(s):

Small Sample ◽

Post Injection ◽

Control Groups ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Adrenocortical Activity ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Endocrine Status ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Small Sample Sizes ◽

Fecal Corticosterone Metabolites

The study of the endocrine status can be useful to understand wildlife responses to the changing environment. Here, we validated an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to non-invasively monitor adrenocortical activity by measuring fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) in three sympatric gerbil species (Gerbillus andersoni, G. gerbillus and G. pyramidum) from the Northwestern Negev Desert’s sands (Israel). Animals included into treatment groups were injected with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to stimulate adrenocortical activity, while control groups received a saline solution. Feces were collected at different intervals and FCM were quantified by an EIA. Basal FCM levels were similar in the three species. The ACTH effect was evidenced, but the time of FCM peak concentrations appearance differed between the species (6–24 h post-injection). Furthermore, FCM peak values were observed sooner in G. andersoni females than in males (6 h and 18 h post-injection, respectively). G. andersoni and G. gerbillus males in control groups also increased FCM levels (18 h and 48 h post-injection, respectively). Despite the small sample sizes, our results confirmed the EIA suitability for analyzing FCM in these species as a reliable indicator of the adrenocortical activity. This study also revealed that close species, and individuals within a species, can respond differently to the same stressor.

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Molecular phylogenetic and in silico analysis of glyceraldeyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene from northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus)

Molecular Biology Reports ◽

10.1007/s11033-021-06186-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 1093-1101

Author(s):

Aravindan Kalyanasundaram ◽

Brett J. Henry ◽

Cassandra Henry ◽

Ronald J. Kendall

Keyword(s):

In Silico ◽

Colinus Virginianus ◽

In Silico Analysis ◽

Northern Bobwhite ◽

Bobwhite Quail ◽

Gapdh Gene ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Silico Analysis

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Eyeworm infections ofOxyspirura petrowi, Skrjabin, 1929 (Spirurida: Thelaziidae), in species of quail from Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, USA

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x16000468 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 91 (4) ◽

pp. 491-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

N.R. Dunham ◽

R.J. Kendall

Keyword(s):

New Mexico ◽

Population Decline ◽

Northern Bobwhite ◽

Cellular Damage ◽

Scaled Quail ◽

Callipepla Squamata ◽

The Past ◽

New Research ◽

Gambel's Quail ◽

Historical Range

AbstractNorthern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) have been declining steadily throughout much of their historical range over the past few decades. Even the Rolling Plains of Texas, historically rich with wild quail and one of the last remaining quail strongholds, has been suffering a population decline, most notably since 2010. Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) have also been experiencing their own decline throughout their respective range, but not as significant as that of other species of quail. Eyeworms (Oxyspirura petrowi) in quail have been recognized for years but not thoroughly studied until recently. New research reveals thatO. petrowiinfection can cause inflammation, oedema, and cellular damage to the eye of the quail host. The objective of this research was to better understand the prevalence of the eyeworm infection in different quail species, expand on known distribution, and determine if there is a relationship between location and species infected with eyeworms. Northern bobwhite, Scaled quail and Gambel's quail were hunter-donated from one county within Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, and examined for the prevalence, mean abundance and mean intensity of eyeworm infection from November 2013 to February 2014. Quail from every location were found to have individuals with a varying degree of eyeworm infection. This is the first study to document eyeworm infection in Gambel's quail and in quail in New Mexico and Arizona, and reports the highest eyeworm infection found in Northern bobwhite and Scaled quail.

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Frequent serial fecal corticoid measures from rats reflect circadian and ovarian corticosterone rhythms

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.1.05935 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 184 (1) ◽

pp. 153-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

S A Cavigelli ◽

S L Monfort ◽

T K Whitney ◽

Y S Mechref ◽

M Novotny ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sprague Dawley ◽

Temporal Acuity ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Laboratory Rodents ◽

Sprague Dawley Rats ◽

Single Animal ◽

Invasive Method ◽

Luteinizing Hormone Surge ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Fecal Corticosterone Metabolites

The circadian glucocorticoid rhythm provides important information on the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in individuals. Frequent repeated blood sampling can limit the kinds of studies conducted on this rhythm, particularly in small laboratory rodents that have limited blood volumes and are easily stressed by handling. We developed an extraction and assay protocol to measure fecal corticosterone metabolites in repeated samples collected from undisturbed male and female adult Sprague–Dawley rats. This fecal measure provides a non-invasive method to assess changes in corticosterone within a single animal over time, with sufficient temporal acuity to quantify several characteristics of the circadian rhythm: e.g. the nadir, acrophase, and asymmetry (saw-tooth) of the rhythm. Males excreted more immunoreactive fecal corticoids than did females. Across the estrous cycle, females produced more fecal corticoids on proestrus (the day of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge) than during estrus or metestrus. These results establish a baseline from which to study environmental, psychological, and physiological disturbances of the circadian corticosterone rhythm within individual rats.

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