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.

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Live Microbial Cultures on Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Safari Asian Elephants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chharang ◽  
S. Choudhary ◽  
V. Kumar ◽  
S. Sharma ◽  
P. C. Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Microbial Cultures ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Conservation Of Endangered Species

Background: Wildlife tourism has been shown to increase stress in a variety of species and can negatively affect the survival, reproduction, welfare, and behaviour of individuals. The use of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites has favoured the development of non-invasive methods to study physiological conditions and could aid in successful and effective strategies for the management and conservation of endangered species. Methods: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of live microbial cultures to find patterns of physiological stress hormone in faeces of 18 safari Asian elephants of 30-62 years age and body weight (3495 ± 133.34 Kg) for two months. They were randomly divided into three groups, with six elephants in each, i.e. control with no probiotic (T1) and the other two with probiotics, which contained 1 × 109 CFU/g concentrate of Lactobacillus acidophilus (T2) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (T3) @ every 50 kg body weight per day. Faecal samples were taken on 0, 30th, 40th and 50th day of the experiment. Result: It was observed that the mean faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, demonstrated by the elephants of T2, and T3 groups were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from the control group (T1) and remained unaffected on the supplementation of live microbial cultures.

scholarly journals Non-invasive cortisol measurements as indicators of physiological stress responses in guinea pigs

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Nemeth ◽  
Elisabeth Pschernig ◽  
Bernard Wallner ◽  
Eva Millesi
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Biological Relevance ◽  
Saliva Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Non-invasive measurements of glucocorticoid (GC) concentrations, including cortisol and corticosterone, serve as reliable indicators of adrenocortical activities and physiological stress loads in a variety of species. As an alternative to invasive analyses based on plasma, GC concentrations in saliva still represent single-point-of-time measurements, suitable for studying short-term or acute stress responses, whereas fecal GC metabolites (FGMs) reflect overall stress loads and stress responses after a species-specific time frame in the long-term. In our study species, the domestic guinea pig, GC measurements are commonly used to indicate stress responses to different environmental conditions, but the biological relevance of non-invasive measurements is widely unknown. We therefore established an experimental protocol based on the animals’ natural stress responses to different environmental conditions and compared GC levels in plasma, saliva, and fecal samples during non-stressful social isolations and stressful two-hour social confrontations with unfamiliar individuals. Plasma and saliva cortisol concentrations were significantly increased directly after the social confrontations, and plasma and saliva cortisol levels were strongly correlated. This demonstrates a high biological relevance of GC measurements in saliva. FGM levels measured 20 h afterwards, representing the reported mean gut passage time based on physiological validations, revealed that the overall stress load was not affected by the confrontations, but also no relations to plasma cortisol levels were detected. We therefore measured FGMs in two-hour intervals for 24 h after another social confrontation and detected significantly increased levels after four to twelve hours, reaching peak concentrations already after six hours. Our findings confirm that non-invasive GC measurements in guinea pigs are highly biologically relevant in indicating physiological stress responses compared to circulating levels in plasma in the short- and long-term. Our approach also underlines the importance of detailed investigations on how to use and interpret non-invasive measurements, including the determination of appropriate time points for sample collections.

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 monitoring of glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in urine and faeces of the Sungazer (Smaug giganteus)

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e6132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Scheun ◽  
Dominique Greeff ◽  
Andre Ganswindt
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Adrenocortical Function ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Acth Challenge ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Metabolite Concentrations ◽  
Invasive Techniques

Developing non-invasive techniques for monitoring physiological stress responses has been conducted in a number of mammal and bird species, revolutionizing field-based endocrinology and conservation practices. However, studies validating and monitoring glucocorticoid concentrations in reptiles are still limited. The aim of the study was to validate a method for monitoring glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in urine (uGCM) and faeces (fGCM) of the cordylid lizard, the Sungazer (Smaug giganteus). An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge was conducted on one male and two females with both urine and faecal material being collected during baseline and post-injection periods. Steroid extracts were analysed with four enzyme immunoassays (EIAs)namely: 11-oxoaetiocholanolone, 5α-pregnane-3β-11β-21-triol-20-one, tetrahydrocorticosterone, and corticosterone. A considerable response in fGCM and uGCM concentrations following ACTH administration was observed in all subjects, with the 5α-pregnane-3β-11β-21-triol-20-one and tetrahydrocorticosterone EIAs appearing to be the most suited for monitoring alterations in glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in S. giganteus using faeces or urine as hormone matrix. Both EIAs showed a significantly higher concentration of glucocorticoid metabolites in faeces compared to urine for both sexes. Collectively, the findings of this study confirmed that both urine and faeces can be used to non-invasively assess adrenocortical function in S. giganteus.

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.

Urinary corticosterone responses and haematological stress indicators in the endangered Fijian ground frog (Platymantis vitiana) during transportation and captivity

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Narayan ◽  
Jean-Marc Hero
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Outdoor Enclosure ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Fiji Island ◽  
Logical Representation

Physiological stress assessment is important for in-situ conservation and captive management of threatened wildlife. Leukocyte (white blood cell) evaluation, especially the neutrophil : lymphocyte (N : L) ratio, provides a logical representation of experimentally elevated corticosterone (stress hormone) in amphibians. Urinary corticosterone enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) is a rapid non-invasive tool for assessing stress responses in amphibians. To our knowledge, no one has explored the relationship between N : L ratio and urinary corticosterone in wild amphibians in a non-experimental way. This study provides a comparative assessment of relative leukocyte numbers, N : L ratios and urinary corticosterone responses of the endangered Fijian ground frog (Platymantis vitiana) during transportation and captivity. Adult frogs (n = 40) were collected from Viwa, Fiji Island for captive breeding. Frogs showed significant changes in leukocyte proportions during transportation and captivity. N : L ratios were higher 6 h after transportation and over 5 and 15 days in captivity. Urinary corticosterone responses of the frogs were also higher 6 h after transportation and after 5 and 15 days in captivity. All leukocyte proportions, N : L ratios and urinary corticosterone concentrations of the frogs returned near baseline levels after the frogs were kept in an environmentally enriched outdoor enclosure for over 25 days. These results highlight the value of leukocyte evaluation and urinary corticosterone EIAs as physiological tools for evaluating stress in amphibians.

Emotions and health: The impact of emotions, emotions regulation, music, and acculturation on health

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Bongard ◽  
Volker Hodapp ◽  
Sonja Rohrmann
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Anger Expression ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Cardiovascular Stress ◽  
Expression Behavior ◽  
Cardio Vascular ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Our unit investigates the relationship of emotional processes (experience, expression, and coping), their physiological correlates and possible health outcomes. We study domain specific anger expression behavior and associated cardio-vascular loads and found e.g. that particularly an open anger expression at work is associated with greater blood pressure. Furthermore, we demonstrated that women may be predisposed for the development of certain mental disorders because of their higher disgust sensitivity. We also pointed out that the suppression of negative emotions leads to increased physiological stress responses which results in a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. We could show that relaxation as well as music activity like singing in a choir causes increases in the local immune parameter immunoglobuline A. Finally, we are investigating connections between migrants’ strategy of acculturation and health and found e.g. elevated cardiovascular stress responses in migrants when they where highly adapted to the German culture.

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