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 Social, Reproductive and Contextual Influences on Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Captive Yangtze Finless Porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) and Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agathe Serres ◽  
Todd Robeck ◽  
Xiaojun Deng ◽  
Karen Steinman ◽  
Yujiang Hao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Contextual Influences ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Neophocaena Asiaeorientalis Asiaeorientalis ◽  
Social Separation ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Fecal Glucocorticoid

Although the use of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGCM) measurements as non-invasive biomarkers for the stress response in mammals has increased, few studies have been conducted in odontocetes. We investigated if animal sex, age, pregnancy or contextual variations (season, sampling time, enrichment, social separation and presence of visitors) influenced the FGCM concentrations in presumably healthy, captive and endangered Yangtze finless porpoises (YFPs, N = 4) and bottlenose dolphins (BDs, N = 3). For YFPs, the FGCM concentrations were influenced by season (p = 0.01), diurnal variation (p = 0.01) and pregnancy (p = 0.005). Contextual variables that were associated with increases in FGCM concentrations included social separations (p = 0.003) and numbers of visitors (p = 0.0002). Concentrations of FGCMs were lower (p = 0.001) after exposure to environmental enrichment. For BDs, enrichment was associated with reduced concentrations of FGCMs (p < 0.0001). The presence of visitors also influenced this species’ FGCM concentrations (p = 0.006). These results demonstrate that changes in the FGCM concentrations in YFPs and BDs may occur in response to contextual and social changes. In combination with other behavioral and physiological assessments, measurements of FGCMs may be a useful tool for monitoring cetacean welfare. Such monitoring may help researchers identify and better understand situations that may be stressful for animals and, therefore, improve management and husbandry. Furthermore, results from our study and inferences of the FGCM concentrations in cetaceans, and their potential relationship to stress, may be extrapolated to studies of free-ranging animals, which may help detect possible environmental or anthropogenic stressors that could be affecting these populations.

scholarly journals Evaluating Environmental Enrichment Methods in Three Zoo-Housed Varanidae Lizard Species

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 716-727
Author(s):  
James O. Waterman ◽  
Rachel McNally ◽  
Daniel Harrold ◽  
Matthew Cook ◽  
Gerardo Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
Scent Trails ◽  
Behavioural Repertoire ◽  
Cognitive Sophistication

Environmental enrichment has been shown to enhance the behavioural repertoire and reduce the occurrence of abnormal behaviours, particularly in zoo-housed mammals. However, evidence of its effectiveness in reptiles is lacking. Previously, it was believed that reptiles lacked the cognitive sophistication to benefit from enrichment provision, but studies have demonstrated instances of improved longevity, physical condition and problem-solving behaviour as a result of enhancing husbandry routines. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of food- and scent-based enrichment for three varanid species (Komodo dragon, emerald tree monitor lizard and crocodile monitor). Scent piles, scent trails and hanging feeders resulted in a significant increase in exploratory behaviour, with engagement diminishing ≤330 min post provision. The provision of food- versus scent-based enrichment did not result in differences in enrichment engagement across the three species, suggesting that scent is just as effective in increasing natural behaviours. Enhancing the environment in which zoo animals reside is important for their health and wellbeing and also provides visitors with the opportunity to observe naturalistic behaviours. For little known and understudied species such as varanids, evidence of successful (and even unsuccessful) husbandry and management practice is vital for advancing best practice in the zoo industry.

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 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 Faecal corticosterone metabolite assessment in socially housed male and female Wistar rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Cinque ◽  
Manuela Zinni ◽  
Anna Rita Zuena ◽  
Chiara Giuli ◽  
Sebastiano G Alemà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Female Wistar Rats ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Clinical Experiments

Knowledge of animals’ hormonal status is important for conservation studies in wild or semi-free-ranging conditions as well as for behavioural and clinical experiments conducted in laboratory research, mostly performed on rats and mice. Faecal sampling is a useful non-invasive method to obtain steroid hormone assessments. Nevertheless, in laboratory studies, unlike other contexts, faecal sampling is less utilised. One of the issues raised is the necessity to collect samples belonging to different animals, separately. Usually, researchers using faecal sampling solve this problem through the isolation of animals or taking the cage rather than single animal as unit of study. These solutions though, could lead to unreliable measurements, and cannot be applied in many studies. Our aim was to show the biological reliability of individual faecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) assessments in socially housed male and female Wistar rats. We analytically validated the enzyme immunoassay kit used for FCM assessments. Then, we exposed the animals to two different stress stimuli that are known to activate the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis and the following release of corticosterone to biologically validate the EIA kit: environmental enrichment and predator odour. Individual faecal sampling from social animals was collected through short-time handling. The results demonstrated that both the stimuli increased FCM levels in male and female rats showing the reliability of EIA kit assessment and the applicability of our sampling method. We also found a diurnal rhythm in FCM levels. These results could help to increase the use of faecal hormone metabolite determinations in studies conducted on rats.

Thermally Reversible Hydrogel Sheets for Adult Stem Cell Culture

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreedhar Thirumala ◽  
Ram V. Devireddy
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Sheet ◽  
Adult Stem Cell ◽  
Collagen Type I ◽  
Type I ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Bovine Collagen ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Water Salt ◽  
Coated Surface

A simple non-invasive method of cell retrieval using Methylcellulose (MC) coated Tissue Culture Poly-Styrone (TCPS) dishes was developed to allow the creation of single and multilayered adult stem cell sheet constructs while preserving the cell-cell and the cell–extracellular matrices. The optimal combination of MC-water-salt was found to be 12 to 14% of MC (mol. wt. of 15,000) in water with 0.5x PBS (∼150 mOsm). This solution exhibited a gel formation temperature of ∼32°C. The addition (evenly spread) of 200μl of 2mg/ml bovine collagen type -I (pH adjusted to 7.5) over the MC coated surface at 37°C, significantly improved the adult stem cell (ASC) adhesion and proliferation on the hydrogel system.

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.

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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