Fecal cortisol metabolites as indicators of stress in crab-eating-fox (Cerdocyoun thous) in captivity

Abstract: Blood samples collection is a common method in biological research using domestic animals. However, most blood sampling techniques are complicated and highly invasive and may therefore not be appropriate for wildlife animals in research concerning stress. Thus, a non-invasive method to measure steroid hormones is critically needed. The first goal of this study was to determine how glucocorticoids concentrations are impacted by translocation and reproductive activity in crab-eating-fox (Cerdocyoun thous) in captivity. The physiological relevance of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites was further validated by demonstrating: (1) The translocation of a male to a females enclosure resulted in a 3.5-fold increase compared to baseline concentrations, (2) changes in adrenocortical activity, as reflected in concentrations of fecal cortisol metabolites during reproduction, gestation and lactation in females foxes, indicating that social interactions resulted in large increases of fecal glucocorticoids metabolites during the reproductive season. From these findings we conclude that fecal samples can be used for the non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical status in crab-eating-fox.

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Physiological validation of a non-invasive method to evaluate adrenocortical activity and the time course for the excretion of stress hormones in the feces of three species of desert gerbils

Israel Journal of Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1163/22244662-20191043 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (1-2) ◽

pp. 21-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Justin R. St. Juliana ◽

Jocelyn L. Bryant ◽

Nadja Wielebnowski ◽

Burt P. Kotler

Keyword(s):

Stress Responses ◽

Time Course ◽

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ◽

Stress Hormones ◽

Adrenocortical Activity ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽

Desert Rodents ◽

Invasive Method ◽

Time Frames

We evaluated the suitability of a corticosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to monitor excretion of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) in response to Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and saline injections in three desert rodent species (Gerbillus andersoni allenbyi (GA), Gerbillus nanus (GN), and Gerbilis piridium (GP). We exposed 24 gerbils (N = 9 for GA, N = 7 for GN, N = 8 for GP) to an ACTH and a saline injection at different times. Fecal samples were collected hourly for 24 hours after injection. The average starting concentration (baseline) FGM concentration was 797 ng/g for GA, 183 ng/g for GN, and 749 ng/g for GP. The average peak concentration was 2377 ng/g for GA, 589 ng/g for GN, and 1987 ng/g for GP. We were able to provide a physiological validation for the chosen assay in GAs and GPs, however, our results for GNs were less clear. We found an increase in FGM concentrations on average after 5.5 hours in GA, 3.1 hours in GN, and 3.8 hours in GP. We found a peak in FGM concentration on average after 8.8 hours in GA, 5.6 hours in GN, and 10.3 hours in GP. We determined that FGM concentration returned to starting value on average after 14.4 hours in GA, 9.1 hours in GN, and 15.1 hours in GP. The outcomes of this study can help establish trapping protocols and time frames for FGM monitoring of these wild small mammal populations. The time course for excretion of FGM is similar between the species in this study, and comparable to some non-desert rodents. We found high variation in the time course of excretion within species. This variation needs to be taken into account when monitoring stress responses in the field. By assessing adrenocortical activity using FGM monitoring, stress responses to varying ecological and environmental factors can be reliably examined in the field.

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Examination the stresseffect of litter’s let-together system (“kindergarten”) by measuring faecal cortisol metabolites of sows and piglets

Acta Agraria Debreceniensis ◽

10.34101/actaagrar/69/1794 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 87-90

Author(s):

Zsolt Győri ◽

Margit Kulcsár ◽

Péter Balogh ◽

László Huzsvai ◽

Gabriella Novotniné Dankó

Keyword(s):

Stress Effect ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Adrenocortical Activity ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Invasive Method ◽

Corticosterone Metabolites ◽

Pig Husbandry ◽

Cortisol Metabolites

Piglets in commercial intensive pig husbandry are often abruptly weaned between 3 and 4 weeks for economic reasons. The process of weaning is a multifactorial stressor, in which nutritional, social, physical and psychologic stressors are combined. Piglets are often exposed to unfamiliar piglets around weaning which results in a period of vigorous fighting. Stress plays an important part in welfare research. Traditionally glucocorticoids are measured in blood samples but their use is often limited as the act of sample collection may stress an animal. Measurement of faecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolites is a non-invasive method for evaluation adrenocortical activity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of litter’s let-together system (“kindergarten”) in the farrowing house by measuring faecal cortisol metabolites. According to our results the “kindergarten” system has no stress effect on sows and piglets, respectively.

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Método no invasivo de diagnóstico de gestación en venadas Odocoileus virginianus. (Non-Invasive Method for Pregnancy Diagnosis in Odocoileus Virginianus.)

CIENCIA EN DESARROLLO ◽

10.19053/01217488.3644 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Cervera Hernández ◽

R. C. Montes Pérez ◽

F. Victoria Arceo ◽

J. Camacho Reyes ◽

I. F. Castillo López

Keyword(s):

Odocoileus Virginianus ◽

Reproductive Season ◽

Pregnancy Diagnosis ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Total Correlation ◽

In Captivity ◽

Invasive Method

ResumenObjetivo: Valorar la eficiencia del diagnóstico de gestación mediante la estimación de niveles de progestinas fecales en venadas cola blanca O. virginianus en la época no reproductiva. Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron muestras sanguíneas y heces de nueve venadas cola blanca (VCB), semanalmente, durante dos meses en la época reproductiva. Adicionalmente, las VCB fueron expuestas a macho durante un mes durante la época reproductiva, y se colectaron heces dos veces fuera de esta, para medir los niveles de metabolitos de progestinas. Se determinó el valor de corte para diagnosticar gestación a partir de los niveles de metabolitos de progestinas fecales en fase luteal y folicular. La progesterona sanguínea fue medida por radioinmunoanálisis, y se correlacionó con los niveles de progestinas fecales. Los diagnósticos de gestación fueron relacionados con los partos. Resultados: La correlación total entre niveles de progestinas sanguíneas y metabolitos de progestinas fecales fue 0,37 (p&lt,0,01). La variación de la correlación individual fue 0,104 hasta 0,99. El valor de corte para diagnosticar gestación fue 4000 ng/g en heces. La eficiencia del diagnóstico de gestación fue 77,78%, el valor predictivo del diagnóstico positivo fue 75%, y el negativo fue 80%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Es posible diagnosticar gestación fuera de la época de reproducción mediante la estimación de los niveles de metabolitos de progestinas fecales, en VCB en cautiverio, tomando como valor de corte 4000 ng/g de heces. AbstractObjective: To value the eciency of pregnancy diagnosis by estimating levels of fecal progestins inwhite-tailed deer O. virginianus outside the reproductive season. Materials and methods: Blood and feces samples of nine White tailed-deer (WTD) were analyzed weekly for two months in reproductive season. Additionally WTD were exposed to a male during a month in reproductive season and feces were collected twice in non-reproductive season, in order to estimate progestins metabolites levels. The cut value for pregnancy diagnosis from levels of fecal progestins metabolites in luteal and follicular phases of WTD, was determined. Blood progesterone levels were measured by radioimmuno analysis and were correlated with the fecal progestins levels. Pregnancy diagnosis was related with the deliveries. Results: Total correlation coecient between blood progestins levels and fecal metabolites progestins was 0.37 (p&lt,0.01). Individual correlation coecient variation was 0.104 to 0.99. Cut o value for pregnancy diagnosis was 4000 ng/g in feces. Eciency for pregnancy diagnosis was 77.78%, predictive positive value was 75% and the negative was 80% respectively. Conclusions: It is possible to carry out pregnancy diagnosis in non-reproductive season, through quantification of fecal progestin metabolites levels, in WTD in captivity, taking as cut value 4000 ng/g feces.

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A non-invasive technique for analyzing fecal cortisol metabolites in snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus)

Journal of Comparative Physiology B ◽

10.1007/s00360-008-0314-4 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 179 (3) ◽

pp. 305-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Michael J. Sheriff ◽

Curtis O. Bosson ◽

Charles J. Krebs ◽

Rudy Boonstra

Keyword(s):

Lepus Americanus ◽

Invasive Technique ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Fecal Cortisol ◽

Snowshoe Hares ◽

Cortisol Metabolites

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Identification of Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Faecal Cortisol Metabolites Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Enzyme Immunoassays

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo11060393 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 393

Author(s):

Flavia Santamaria ◽

Christopher K. Barlow ◽

Rolf Schlagloth ◽

Ralf B. Schittenhelm ◽

Rupert Palme ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Sodium Succinate ◽

Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽

Enzyme Immunoassays ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Invasive Method ◽

Cortisol Metabolites

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal folivorous marsupial endemic to Australia. Anthropogenic activities and climate change are threats to this species’ survival and are potential stressors. A suitable non-invasive method is needed to objectively detect stress in koalas. Under conditions of stress, the concentration of the hormone cortisol in plasma or in saliva is elevated, and this would provide a convenient measure; however, collecting blood or saliva from wild animals is both practically difficult and stressful, and so likely to confound any measurement. In contrast, measurement of cortisol metabolites in faeces provides a practical and non-invasive method to objectively measure stress in koalas. Unfortunately, the identity of the main faecal cortisol metabolites of koalas is unknown. In this study, we have used both untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) to identify several faecal cortisol metabolites in two koalas, one female (18 months old, 4.1 kg) and one male (4 years old, 6.95 kg) upon administration of hydrocortisone (cortisol) sodium succinate. The LC-MS analysis identified tetrahydrocortisol along with several other isomers as cortisol metabolites. After a survey of five enzyme immunoassays, we found that two metabolites, tetrahydrocortisol and 3β-allotetrahydrocortisol, could be detected by EIAs that used antibodies that were raised against their structurally similar corticosterone counterparts, tetrahydrocorticosterone and 3β-allotetrahydrocorticosterone, respectively. While the 3β-allotetrahydrocortisol metabolite was detected in the faeces of only one of the two animals studied, tetrahydrocortisol was detected in both. These results ultimately indicate that tetrahydrocortisol is likely the main faecal cortisol metabolite in koalas, and we demonstrate that it can be measured by an EIA (50c) that was originally developed to measure tetrahydrocorticosterone.

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Sex identification and evidence of gonadal activity in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) (Monotremata : Tachyglossidae): non-invasive analysis of faecal sex steroids

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo02017 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 395 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J. E. Oates ◽

F. J. Bradshaw ◽

S. D. Bradshaw ◽

R. A. Lonsdale

Keyword(s):

Sex Steroids ◽

Accurate Method ◽

Reproductive Activity ◽

Correct Identification ◽

Male And Female ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Gonadal Activity ◽

In Captivity ◽

Steroid Analysis ◽

Tachyglossus Aculeatus

The sex of three short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), part of a captive colony in which no successful births have occurred, was determined by measuring levels of faecal sex steroids over a period of two months. Levels of faecal oestradiol-17β were found not to differ between male and female short-beaked echidnas. However, measurement of the oestradiol : androgen ratio (E : A ratio) and androgen concentrations successfully identified one male and two female echidnas. Mean E : A ratios for the two females were 18 ± 6 and 23 ± 8, compared with 1.3 ± 0.6 for the male. The mean androgen concentration for the male was 10.1 ± 2.3 ng g–1 dried faeces, and 1.7 ± 0.5 and 2.2 ± 0.6 ng g–1 dried faeces for the two females. The E : A ratio allowed correct identification of the sex of the echidnas 80% of the time, whereas the androgen concentration correctly identified the sex 75% of the time but was reliable only during the breeding season. Both the male and female echidnas showed evidence of gonadal activity; lack of breeding in captivity was therefore not due to all animals being of the same sex or lacking reproductive activity. The study has demonstrated that faecal steroid analysis is an accurate method for sex determination in the short-beaked echidna and further monitoring of these hormones may elucidate many of the unknown aspects of their reproductive biology.

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

Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie ◽

10.1024//1016-264x.12.1.8 ◽

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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