Non-invasive assessment of fecal glucocorticoid and androgen metabolites in the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
The pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) is an endangered species endemic to the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem in West Africa. We have limited information concerning the species’ reproduction and well-being under managed care. We therefore developed non-invasive methods for characterizing gonadal androgen and adrenal hormone profiles in pygmy hippos using fecal samples collected from 12 males […]
Use of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite measures in conservation biology research: considerations for application and interpretation
Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analyses are increasingly being used by a variety of scientists (e.g., conservation biologists, animal scientists) to examine glucocorticoid (i.e., stress hormone) secretion in domestic and wild vertebrates. Adrenocortical activity (i.e., stress response) is of interest to conservation biologists because stress can alter animal behavior, reduce resistance to disease, and affect population performance. […]
Validation of a cortisol enzyme immunoassay and characterization of salivary cortisol circadian rhythm in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Abstract Monitoring concentrations of stress hormones is an important tool for behavioral research and conservation for animals both in the wild and captivity. Glucocorticoids can be measured in mammals as an indicator of stress by analyzing blood, feces, urine, hair, feathers, or saliva. The advantages of using saliva for measuring cortisol concentrations are three-fold: it […]
Analyzing corticosterone metabolites in fecal samples of mice: a noninvasive technique to monitor stress hormones
In small animals like mice, the monitoring of endocrine functions over time is constrained seriously by the adverse effects of blood sampling. Therefore, noninvasive techniques to monitor, for example, stress hormones in these animals are highly demanded in laboratory as well as in field research. The aim of our study was to evaluate the biological […]
The effect of contact with conspecifics and humans on calves’ behaviour and stress responses
In this study, we analysed the effects of social and human contact on calves’ behaviour and stress responses. We also measured the effect of this contact on calves’ reactions to nove conspecifics and novel humans. Sixty-four calves were housed either alone or in pairs and received either minimal human contact or ‘additional’ human contact (stroking […]
Noninvasive monitoring of adrenocortical function in captive jaguars (Panthera onca)
Jaguars are threatened with extinction throughout their range. A sustainable captive population can serve as a hedge against extinction, but only if they are healthy and reproduce. Understanding how jaguars respond to stressors may help improve the captive environment and enhance their wellbeing. Thus, our objectives were to: (1) conduct an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) challenge […]
Validation of a Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Assay to Assess Stress in the Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)
The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a small parrot native to Australia that is commonly held in zoos, laboratories, and private homes. Assessment of budgerigar stress levels would aid welfare monitoring and improve our understanding of their biology. Analyzing fecal glucocorticoid metabolites provides a noninvasive method to measure stress levels in birds. For this method to […]
Use of salivary cortisol to evaluate the influence of rides in dromedary camels
Animals in captivity and in the wild face numerous challenges, including the risk of enduring acute or chronic stress. In captivity, facilities attempt to alleviate the risk of chronic stress by providing environmental enrichment, shown to minimize behavioral disorders and stress in several species. One potential form of enrichment in zoos is training animals to […]