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Augustine L, Miller K, Peters A, Franklin AD, Steinbeiser CM, Brown JL, Prado NA. Impacts of the season and reproductive status on fecal reproductive and adrenocortical steroid metabolites in zoo Cuban crocodiles (Crocodylus rhombifer). Zoo Biol 2020; 39:411-421. [PMID: 32770706 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Conservation strategies for crocodilians often include captive breeding to create stable assurance populations. Evaluating adrenal and gonadal hormone patterns can provide animal managers with data to more effectively monitor animal welfare and reproductive status. This study evaluated the effects of season (breeding, nesting, or off), sex (male and female), and reproductive status of females (egg-laying/housed with a male or non-laying/housed solo) on concentrations of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM), fecal androgen metabolite (FAM), and fecal progestogen metabolite (FPM) in seven Cuban crocodiles, Crocodylus rhombifer, at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park. Overall, seasonal changes in FGM and FPM concentrations were only observed in egg-laying females; FGM and FPM concentrations were both higher during the nesting season compared to the breeding and off seasons. Seasonal changes in FAM concentrations were only observed in males; males had higher FAM concentrations during the breeding and nesting seasons compared to the off season. Future studies investigating the use of fecal hormone metabolites in crocodilians are necessary to understand differences between individuals and species, to further elucidate the interactions between hormones and environmental factors, such as social housing, and to develop long-term datasets for the management of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Augustine
- Department of Herpetology, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, Missouri.,Department of Herpetology, Animal Care Sciences, Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Kyle Miller
- Department of Herpetology, Animal Care Sciences, Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Alan Peters
- Department of Herpetology, Animal Care Sciences, Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Ashley D Franklin
- Department of Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences, AZA Reproductive Management Center, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Janine L Brown
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation and Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia
| | - Natalia A Prado
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation and Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia
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The Antler Cycle and Fecal Testosterone of Male Sambar Deer Rusa unicolor unicolor at the Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:6903407. [PMID: 32626755 PMCID: PMC7306847 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6903407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study is aimed at evaluating the relationship between endogenous testosterone levels and antler development in male sambar deer (Rusa unicolor unicolor) inhabiting the Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka. Seven antler growth stages of sambar were documented based on phenotypic observations for the first time in Sri Lanka as (a) cast, (b) growing 1—single spike, (c) growing 2—antler fork into a Y as the second tine appears, (d) growing 3—velvet begins to harden as the third tine appears, (e) growth completed—velvet shedding begins, (f) hard antler, and (g) casting. Fecal samples were collected every month for a period of eighteen months from male sambar deer in different stages of the antler growth cycle, feeding in the wet patana grasslands of the park, and the fecal testosterone level was estimated by radioimmunoassay. Ten animals were randomly selected from each antler stage for the experiment. The results disclose that the highest concentrations of testosterone were recorded in the hard antler stage. Velvet shedding was preceded by an increase in the testosterone level, and it is the sudden drop in the testosterone concentration which triggers the antler casting. The casting stage corresponded with the lowest mean testosterone concentration. Although the study was able to conclude a clear relationship between the fecal testosterone levels of the male sambar deer in the Horton Plains National Park and their antler stages, there is no clear seasonality for the antler cycle.
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Scheun J, Greeff D, Ganswindt A. Non-invasive monitoring of glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in urine and faeces of the Sungazer ( Smaug giganteus). PeerJ 2018; 6:e6132. [PMID: 30595985 PMCID: PMC6305116 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Scheun
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.,Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Dominique Greeff
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andre Ganswindt
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.,Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Bertocchi M, Pelizzone I, Parmigiani E, Ponzio P, Macchi E, Righi F, Di Girolamo N, Bigliardi E, Denti L, Bresciani C, Di Ianni F. Monitoring the reproductive activity in captive bred female ball pythons (P. regius) by ultrasound evaluation and noninvasive analysis of faecal reproductive hormone (progesterone and 17β-estradiol) metabolites trends. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199377. [PMID: 29949610 PMCID: PMC6021098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The royal python (Python regius) is commonly bred in captivity. To have a successful breeding season, accurate monitoring of the reproductive activity is necessary. The use of non-invasive monitoring methods in exotics is important in order to minimize stress. For this purpose ultrasound has been anecdotally used to monitor royal python reproductive activity. However, there is limited information regarding the reproductive cycle of this species. The aim of the present study is to monitor the female reproductive cycle of the royal python using ultrasonography and gonadal steroid metabolite measurements in the faeces. The reproductive activity of one hundred twenty-nine adult female P. regius was examined during two consecutive years. We performed brief scans on non-anaesthetized snakes using a portable ultrasound system and a 10–12 MHz linear array transducer (MyLab™ 30 Gold, Esaote). Ultrasound features, dimension and echogenicity of the reproductive structures were determined. During the second reproductive cycle, the hormonal profiles of 30 animals were also evaluated, with a monthly collection of faecal samples. These samples were classified according to reproductive stage, as identified by ultrasonographic examination, and the mean faecal progesterone and 17β-estradiol levels were calculated using the results from an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Progesterone levels increased during the reproductive cycle. Estradiol levels showed greater variability, although they appeared to increase before coupling when compared to the levels between coupling and egg laying. The present study suggests that it is possible to identify different phases in the female royal python reproductive cycle: anovulatory phase, transition, folliculogenesis and embryogenesis. Ultrasound is also useful for identifying follicular regression or slugs. Gonadal steroid metabolite measurements from the faeces could help integrate reproductive information. The use of ultrasonography in addition to the steroid metabolite measurement in the faeces gives an accurate picture of ovarian activity in captive adult female royal pythons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Bertocchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via Del Taglio, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Parmigiani
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via Del Taglio, Parma, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ponzio
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Elisabetta Macchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Federico Righi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via Del Taglio, Parma, Italy
| | - Nicola Di Girolamo
- Tai Wai Small Animal and Exotic Hospital, Lap Wo Building, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Enrico Bigliardi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via Del Taglio, Parma, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura Denti
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via Del Taglio, Parma, Italy
| | - Carla Bresciani
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via Del Taglio, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Ianni
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via Del Taglio, Parma, Italy
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Flasko A, Manseau M, Mastromonaco G, Bradley M, Neufeld L, Wilson P. Fecal DNA, hormones, and pellet morphometrics as a noninvasive method to estimate age class: an application to wild populations of Central Mountain and Boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Determining age structure of populations is a valuable parameter in wildlife management, but is often difficult to obtain. Here, we tested a noninvasive method via fecal DNA, hormones, and pellet morphometrics to distinguish calf from adult in Central Mountain and Boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) populations. Annual surveys of fall-sampled Central Mountain caribou were done in Jasper National Park, Alberta, between 2006 and 2011 and winter-sampled Boreal caribou were surveyed in the North Interlake area, Manitoba, between 2004 and 2010. Samples were amplified at 10 microsatellite loci to identify unique individuals and capture histories were used to identify putative calves and adults. Fecal pellets were measured for length, width, depth, dry mass, and analyzed for progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone concentrations. Results showed significant differences in fecal pellet size between putative calves and adults for both sexes and populations–seasons. Progesterone concentration was significantly higher in Jasper–fall and North Interlake–winter adult females. Testosterone was significantly higher in Jasper–fall adult males. North Interlake–winter males exhibited no significant difference in hormone concentrations between age classes. When applied to the entire Jasper data set, 98% of females and 88% of males were assigned to an age class. This study illustrates the possibilities of using noninvasive methods to determine an age class in wild ungulate populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Flasko
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6, Canada
| | - Micheline Manseau
- Office of the Chief Ecosystem Scientist, Parks Canada, 30 Victoria Street, Gatineau, QC J8X 0B3, Canada; Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6, Canada
| | | | - Mark Bradley
- Jasper National Park of Canada, Parks Canada, P.O. Box 10, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
| | - Lalenia Neufeld
- Jasper National Park of Canada, Parks Canada, P.O. Box 10, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
| | - Paul Wilson
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
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Halliday W, Paterson J, Patterson L, Cooke S, Blouin-Demers G. Testosterone, body size, and sexual signals predict parasite load in Yarrow’s Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus jarrovii). CAN J ZOOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2014-0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Parasite load significantly impacts host health and fitness and may vary substantially among individuals within a population. The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis posits that sexual signals are honest indicators of male quality because they are maintained by testosterone, an immunosuppressant that yields higher parasite loads. Additionally, testosterone may influence parasite load by increasing activity levels. We examined these two hypotheses in a wild population of Yarrow’s Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus jarrovii Cope, 1875) in Arizona. We (i) compared fecal testosterone levels to ectoparasite and haemoparasite loads, (ii) tested if sexual signals (total coloured area, aggression, and head size), locomotor activity, and body size correlated with testosterone levels, and (iii) compared sexual signals, locomotor activity, and body size to parasite load. Ectoparasite loads increased with total coloured area and tended to increase with testosterone, but this latter relationship was only nearly significant. Parasite loads increased with body size. Thus, we found some support for the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis and none for the activity hypothesis. Our results are consistent with an alternative hypothesis that larger individuals have more parasites because they have more surface area and (or) have had longer to accumulate parasites. Future studies should examine the relative contributions of testosterone and glucocorticoids in driving variation in parasite loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- W.D. Halliday
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - J.E. Paterson
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - L.D. Patterson
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - S.J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - G. Blouin-Demers
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
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