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Botía M, Llamas-Amor E, Cerón JJ, Ramis-Vidal G, López-Juan AL, Benedé JL, Escribano D, Martínez-Subiela S, López-Arjona M. Cortisone in saliva of pigs: validation of a new assay and changes after thermal stress. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:370. [PMID: 39155386 PMCID: PMC11331735 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04195-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cortisone is derived from cortisol through the action of the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II, and it has gained importance in recent years as a biomarker of stress. This study aimed to develop and validate an assay for the measurement of cortisone in pig saliva and evaluate whether its concentration varies in stressful situations. For this purpose, a specific immunoassay was developed and validated analytically, and a study was performed to evaluate whether cortisone concentrations in saliva can vary under heat stress conditions. RESULTS The assay proved to be accurate, reliable, and sensitive for the measurement of cortisone in pig saliva. The limit of detection of the assay was set at 0.006 ng/ml, and the lower limit of quantification was 0.023 ng/ml. It also correlated significantly with the results obtained by LC‒MS/MS (P = 0.003; r = 0.64). In addition, the cortisone concentration in animals subjected to prolonged heat stress decreased significantly 15 days after treatment (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS According to these results, cortisone measured by this assay could be used as a tool for the non-invasive evaluation of thermal stress in pig saliva.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Botía
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Eva Llamas-Amor
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - José Joaquín Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain.
| | - Guillermo Ramis-Vidal
- Department of Animal Production, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo S/N, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Andreu L López-Juan
- GICAPC Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Burjassot, 46100, Spain
| | - Juan L Benedé
- GICAPC Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Burjassot, 46100, Spain
| | - Damián Escribano
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
- Department of Animal Production, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo S/N, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Silvia Martínez-Subiela
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Marina López-Arjona
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Spain
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Cools T, Wilson KS, Li D, Vancsok C, Mulot B, Leclerc A, Kok J, Haapakoski M, Bertelsen MF, Ochs A, Girling SJ, Zhou Y, Li R, Vanhaecke L, Wauters J. Development and validation of a versatile non-invasive urinary steroidomics method for wildlife biomonitoring. Talanta 2024; 273:125924. [PMID: 38518717 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Wildlife conservation is often challenged by a lack of knowledge about the reproduction biology and adaptability of endangered species. Although monitoring steroids and related molecules can increase this knowledge, the applicability of current techniques (e.g. immunoassays) is hampered by species-specific steroid metabolism and the requisite to avoid invasive sampling. This study presents a validated steroidomics method for the (un)targeted screening of a wide range of sex and stress steroids and related molecules in urine using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). In total, 50 steroids (conjugated and non-conjugated androgens, estrogens, progestogens and glucocorticoids) and 6 prostaglandins could be uniquely detected. A total of 45 out of 56 compounds demonstrated a detection limit below 0.01 ng μL-1. Excellent linearity (R2 > 0.99), precision (CV < 20 %), and recovery (80-120 %) were observed for 46, 41, and 39 compounds, respectively. Untargeted screening of pooled giant panda and human samples yielded 9691 and 8366 features with CV < 30 %, from which 84.1 % and 83.0 %, respectively, also demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 > 0.90). The biological validity of the method was investigated on male and female giant panda urine (n = 20), as well as pooled human samples (n = 10). A total of 24 different steroids were detected with clear qualitative and quantitative differences between human and giant panda samples. Furthermore, expected differences were revealed between female giant panda samples from different reproductive phases. In contrast to traditional biomonitoring techniques, the developed steroidomics method was able to screen a wide range of compounds and provide information on the putative identities of metabolites potentially important for reproductive monitoring in giant pandas. These results illustrate the advancements steroidomics brings to the field of wildlife biomonitoring in the pursuit to better understand the biology of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Cools
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten S Wilson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, 4-5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Desheng Li
- Key Laboratory of SFGA on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in The Giant Panda National Park, China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Panda (CCRCGP), People's Republic of China
| | - Catherine Vancsok
- Pairi Daiza Foundation - Pairi Daiza, Domaine de Cambron, 7940, Brugelette, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Mulot
- ZooParc de Beauval and Beauval Nature, Avenue du Blanc, 41110, Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Antoine Leclerc
- ZooParc de Beauval and Beauval Nature, Avenue du Blanc, 41110, Saint-Aignan, France
| | - José Kok
- Ouwehands Dierenpark Rhenen, Grebbeweg 111, 3911, AV Rhenen, the Netherlands
| | - Marko Haapakoski
- Ähtärin Eläinpuisto OY, Karhunkierros 150, FI-63700, Ähtäri, Finland; Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Konnevesi Research Station, University of Jyväskylä, Sirkkamäentie 220, FI-44300, Konnevesi, Finland
| | | | - Andreas Ochs
- Berlin Zoo, Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon J Girling
- Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Yingmin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of SFGA on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in The Giant Panda National Park, China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Panda (CCRCGP), People's Republic of China
| | - Rengui Li
- Key Laboratory of SFGA on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in The Giant Panda National Park, China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Panda (CCRCGP), People's Republic of China
| | - Lynn Vanhaecke
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium; Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
| | - Jella Wauters
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Veloso-Frías J, Soto-Gamboa M, Mastromonaco G, Acosta-Jamett G. Seasonal Hair Glucocorticoid Fluctuations in Wild Mice ( Phyllotis darwini) within a Semi-Arid Landscape in North-Central Chile. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1260. [PMID: 38731264 PMCID: PMC11083726 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammals in drylands face environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change. Currently, human activity significantly impacts these environments, and its effects on the energy demands experienced by individuals have not yet been determined. Energy demand in organisms is managed through elevations in glucocorticoid levels, which also vary with developmental and health states. Here, we assessed how anthropization, individual characteristics, and seasonality influence hair glucocorticoid concentration in the Darwin's leaf-eared mouse (Phyllotis darwini) inhabiting two areas with contrasting anthropogenic intervention in a semi-arid ecosystem of northern Chile. Hair samples were collected (n = 199) to quantify hair corticosterone concentration (HCC) using enzyme immunoassays; additionally, sex, body condition, and ectoparasite load were recorded. There were no differences in HCC between anthropized areas and areas protected from human disturbance; however, higher concentrations were recorded in females, and seasonal fluctuations were experienced by males. The results indicate that animals inhabiting semi-arid ecosystems are differentially stressed depending on their sex. Additionally, sex and season have a greater impact on corticosterone concentration than anthropogenic perturbation, possibly including temporal factors, precipitation, and primary production. The influence of sex and seasonality on HCC in P. darwini make it necessary to include these variables in future stress assessments of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseline Veloso-Frías
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Austral University of Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile;
| | - Mauricio Soto-Gamboa
- Institute of Environmental and Evolutionary Sciences, Austral University of Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile;
| | | | - Gerardo Acosta-Jamett
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Austral University of Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile;
- Center for Surveillance and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (CSEID), Austral University of Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
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4
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Sadok I, Ożga K, Klich D, Olech W, Krauze-Gryz D, Beliniak A, Łopucki R. A validated LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of key glucocorticoids in animal hair for applications in conservation biology. Sci Rep 2023; 13:23089. [PMID: 38155201 PMCID: PMC10754919 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49940-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A new method for the determination of main glucocorticoids (cortisol, cortisone, and corticosterone) in hair by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed. Glucocorticoids were extracted from hair shafts using methanol followed by solid-phase extraction. A validation test was performed using hair from three species of wild mammals with different body size (0.2-800 kg), lifestyle (terrestrial, burrowing and arboreal species), social organization (living in herds or solitary), and different predicted type of hair glucocorticoids: European bison (Bison bonasus), European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), and Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Regardless of the species evaluated, the method shows good linearity for all analytes accompanied by satisfactory accuracy (91-114%) and precision (RSD < 13%). Depending on the analyte and hair origin, the calculated limits of quantification were between 0.05 and 1.19 ng/mL, which corresponds to 1.28-31.51 pg/mg. Using cortisol and cortisone as examples, we have demonstrated that measuring multiple glucocorticoids simultaneously provides more comprehensive information than solely concentrating on one, thereby contributing to a more balanced and reliable interpretation of the acquired results. However, the utility of cortisol metabolites as markers of stress response in keratinized tissues should be substantiated by additional experimental studies on targeted animals. We posit that this paper could serve as a crucial catalyst to prompt such experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Sadok
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Kinga Ożga
- Department of Biomedicine and Environmental Research, Institute of Biological Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708, Lublin, Poland
| | - Daniel Klich
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wanda Olech
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dagny Krauze-Gryz
- Department of Forest Zoology and Wildlife Management, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Beliniak
- Department of Forest Zoology and Wildlife Management, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Łopucki
- Department of Biomedicine and Environmental Research, Institute of Biological Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708, Lublin, Poland
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5
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Doss EM, Jouffroy M, Rey B, Cohas A, von Hardenberg A, Smith TE. Technical validation and a comparison of two methods to quantify individual levels of glucocorticoids in Alpine marmot hair. MethodsX 2023; 11:102418. [PMID: 37846357 PMCID: PMC10577059 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantification of cortisol concentration in hair has become a promising conservation tool for non-invasive monitoring of "stress" in wild populations, yet this method needs to be carefully validated for each species. The goals of the study were:•Immunologically validate two methods (study 1 and 2 respectively) to extract and quantify cortisol in the hair of wild Alpine marmots.•Compare the amount of cortisol extracted from hair samples using two methods i.e. cut into fine pieces (study 1) and hair samples pulverized using a ball mill (study 2).•Determine the extent to which methods in study 2 could provide individual specific hair cortisol (HC) measures when samples were taken from the same body location. Within and between individual variations in HC levels were examined from multiple hair samples from 14 subjects in study 2. We evaluated if inter-individual variations in HC levels could be explained by sex and age.At least twice the amount of cortisol was obtained per g/hair when samples were pulverized in a ball mill prior to extraction compared to when cut into pieces. Our methods demonstrated intra-individual consistency in HC at a given time point: inter-individual variation in HC was three times larger than within individual variance. Sex and age did not impact HC levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Marielle Doss
- University of Chester, Conservation Biology Research Group, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Mathilde Jouffroy
- University of Chester, Conservation Biology Research Group, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Rey
- Université de Lyon, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive, Université Lyon1, UMR-CNRS 5558, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Aurélie Cohas
- Université de Lyon, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive, Université Lyon1, UMR-CNRS 5558, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Achaz von Hardenberg
- University of Chester, Conservation Biology Research Group, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Tessa Ellen Smith
- University of Chester, Conservation Biology Research Group, Chester, United Kingdom
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6
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Kastelic M, Gregurić Gračner G, Tomažič I, Kvapil P, Harej M, Dovč A. Comparison of Cortisol Concentrations in Different Matrices in Alpine Ibex ( Capra ibex) at the Zoo. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2491. [PMID: 37570299 PMCID: PMC10417618 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The usefulness of blood collection using venipuncture versus kissing bugs or medicinal leeches and the collection of saliva, faeces, hair, urine, and tears for measuring "immunoreactive" C (iC) concentration in Alpine ibexes was verified using commercial enzyme immunoassays. The mean value of serum C was highest in serum collected using venipuncture and lowest in serums collected using kissing bugs. Statistically significant differences were observed between venipuncture and kissing bugs and between leeches and kissing bugs. However, no statistically significant difference was found in C concentrations between samples collected with venipuncture and those collected with leeches. The highest mean value of C concentration was measured in serum (all three methods), followed by that in hair and faeces, and the lowest mean value was found in saliva. Statistically significant differences were found between saliva and faeces samples and between saliva and hair samples. The difference between the concentrations for faeces and hair was not statistically significant. A significant difference in C concentration between males and females was found in saliva. A significant difference in C concentration among different ages was measured in serum obtained using venipuncture in all three groups and in faeces between the groups older than ten years and younger than 10 months. Highly significant differences in C concentrations were also found between hair sampled in summer and hair sampled in autumn. Collecting tear and urine samples is a laborious procedure and is therefore less acceptable for C determination. Due to the small number of samples, statistical values are not given for these two matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Kastelic
- Zoo Ljubljana, Večna Pot 70, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.K.); (P.K.); (M.H.)
- Institute for Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gordana Gregurić Gračner
- Department of Animal Hygiene, Behaviour and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Iztok Tomažič
- The Group for Biological Education, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna Pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Pavel Kvapil
- Zoo Ljubljana, Večna Pot 70, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.K.); (P.K.); (M.H.)
| | - Mojca Harej
- Zoo Ljubljana, Večna Pot 70, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.K.); (P.K.); (M.H.)
| | - Alenka Dovč
- Institute for Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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7
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Kische H, Voss C, Haring R, Ollmann TM, Pieper L, Kirschbaum C, Beesdo-Baum K. Hair androgen concentrations and depressive disorders in adolescents from the general population. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:1375-1389. [PMID: 35112167 PMCID: PMC10326161 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01929-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the link between androgens and depression is well established in adults, the effects of cofactors on this association are less clearly understood, particularly in youth. Epidemiological cohort study of adolescents in Dresden, Germany. Analyses comprised data of 985 individuals assessed at baseline and of 512 individuals at 1-year follow-up. We investigated multivariable regression models for cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of hair testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and their cortisol ratios with 12-month diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) and MDD without any anxiety disorder assessed with standardized diagnostic interview (DIA-X-5), and with dimensional depression scores (PHQ-9, PROMIS), separately for males and females. The potential moderating effect of social support was determined. Cross-sectional analyses yielded inverse associations of testosterone and DHEA with MDD and MDD without any anxiety disorders in males. In cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, baseline ratio cortisol/DHEA was significantly, inversely associated to PROMIS-depression in males. Only cross-sectional associations for ratio cortisol/DHEA and PROMIS-depression remained significant after Bonferroni-Holm correction. No robust associations were observed in female participants. Social support exerted no consistent moderating effect on the investigated association. The present observational cohort study showed no consistent association of hair androgen concentrations with depressive disorders in adolescents. However, findings provide some support for the association between the cortisol/DHEA ratio and depression in males. Longitudinal research designs in large samples are needed to understand the interplay between androgens, depression, and developmental and social factors in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Kische
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Catharina Voss
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Robin Haring
- Faculty of Applied Public Health, European University of Applied Sciences, Rostock, Germany
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Theresa Magdalena Ollmann
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lars Pieper
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Beesdo-Baum
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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8
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Escribano D, Contreras-Jodar A, López-Arjona M, Cerón JJ, Fàbrega E, Aymerich P, Dalmau A. Changes in cortisol and cortisone in hair of pigs reared under heat stress conditions. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1156480. [PMID: 37533453 PMCID: PMC10393039 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1156480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat stress accounts for millions of dollars in losses for swine producers worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine and evaluate cortisol and cortisone in hair as indicators of thermal stress in growing pigs reared under high environmental temperatures. The study was carried out in two independent batches of commercial crosses of Lean Duroc and Pietrain in trials 1 and 2, respectively, during the growing period (from 40 to 100 kg; 81 days in trial 1 and 77 days in trial 2) in the same commercial farm in Spain during the summers of 2020 and 2021. In both cases, four rooms were used. In Trial 1, Room 1 had cooling and 11 pigs per pen; Room 2 had no cooling and 13 pigs per pen; Room 3 had no cooling and 11 pigs per pen, and Room 4 had cooling and 13 pigs per pen. In Trial 2, Rooms 2 and 3 had cooling and rooms 1 and 4 had no cooling, and all of them had 13 pigs per pen. Mean THI value was higher (p < 0.0001) in rooms without cooling systems (75.0 trial 1; 74.9 trial 2) than with them (71.3 trial 1; 71.7 trial 2). A total of four pens per room (16 in total) was selected for analysis of hair corticoids and all pigs inside were sampled at the end of the study. Fifty percent of the pigs were males (castrated and intact in trial 1 and 2, respectively) and 50% females. In total, 44, 52, 44, and 52 pigs, respectively, were sampled in four rooms from the first trial and 52 for each of four rooms in Trial 2. Cortisol concentrations in hair did not show any significant change in relation to cooling-non-cooling in any trial. However, hair cortisone concentration was 172.3 pg./mg and 105.8 pg./mg less (p < 0.001) in pigs housed with cooling systems compared to those without them in Trial 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, the cortisone/cortisol ratio, which is an estimator of the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) type 2, was also greater in rooms without cooling than in rooms with cooling in both trials (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0105 for Trials 1 and 2, respectively). In relation to the sex effect, the results showed greater levels in females than in castrated males both in cortisone and the cortisol/cortisone ratio while cortisol hair levels were greater in intact males than in females. Therefore, the use of cortisone and the estimation of 11β-HSD type 2 activity in hair is recommended to evaluate the chronic stress produced by high environmental conditions in pigs instead of using hair cortisol concentrations alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Escribano
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Animal Production, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Marina López-Arjona
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - José Joaquín Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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9
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Babic NL, Johnstone CP, Reljić S, Sergiel A, Huber Đ, Reina RD. Evaluation of physiological stress in free-ranging bears: current knowledge and future directions. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:168-190. [PMID: 36176191 PMCID: PMC10086944 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Stress responses, which are mediated by the neurogenic system (NS) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis help vertebrates maintain physiological homeostasis. Fight-or-flight responses are activated by the NS, which releases norepinephrine/noradrenaline and epinephrine/adrenaline in response to immediate stressors, whilst the HPA axis releases glucocorticoid hormones (e.g. cortisol and corticosterone) to help mitigate allostatic load. There have been many studies on stress responses of captive animals, but they are not truly reflective of typical ranges or the types of stressors encountered by free-ranging wildlife, such as responses and adaptation to environmental change, which are particularly important from a conservation perspective. As stress can influence the composition of age and sex classes of free-ranging populations both directly and indirectly, ecological research must be prioritised towards more vulnerable taxa. Generally, large predators tend to be particularly at risk of anthropogenically driven population declines because they exhibit reduced behavioural plasticity required to adapt to changing landscapes and exist in reduced geographic ranges, have small population sizes, low fecundity rates, large spatial requirements and occupy high trophic positions. As a keystone species with a long history of coexistence with humans in highly anthropogenic landscapes, there has been growing concern about how humans influence bear behaviour and physiology, via numerous short- and long-term stressors. In this review, we synthesise research on the stress response in free-ranging bear populations and evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of current methodology in measuring stress in bears to identify the most effective metrics for future research. Particularly, we integrate research that utilised haematological variables, cardiac monitors and Global Positioning System (GPS) collars, serum/plasma and faecal glucocorticoid concentrations, hair cortisol levels, and morphological metrics (primarily skulls) to investigate the stress response in ursids in both short- and long-term contexts. We found that in free-ranging bears, food availability and consumption have the greatest influence on individual stress, with mixed responses to anthropogenic influences. Effects of sex and age on stress are also mixed, likely attributable to inconsistent methods. We recommend that methodology across all stress indicators used in free-ranging bears should be standardised to improve interpretation of results and that a wider range of species should be incorporated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natarsha L Babic
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher P Johnstone
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Slaven Reljić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Adama Mickiewicza 33, Krakow, 31120, Poland
| | - Đuro Huber
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.,Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Adama Mickiewicza 33, Krakow, 31120, Poland
| | - Richard D Reina
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, 3800, Victoria, Australia
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10
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Gent R, Barbier ID, Atkin SL, Newell-Fugate AE, Swart AC. Ultra-performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones in southern white rhinoceros(Ceratotherium simum simum) faeces and serum. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2023; 1215:123576. [PMID: 36529070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2022.123576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormone analysis is routinely undertaken in the assessment of stress response and reproductive function in the management of both captive and free-ranging wildlife species. Faecal samples have become the preferred sample type for analysis as collection is non-invasive and easily assessable. These investigations are generally aimed at aiding successful translocations, enhanced survival outcomes in captivity and improvement of reproductive rate. Immunoassays are the most common approach in the analysis of hormones, particularly in the case of the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Non-specificity, attributed to structural similarity of steroid metabolites impedes accurate evaluations which can be eliminated by chromatographic techniques which are more specific, selective and provide comprehensive analyses. This study developed and validated three methods using ultra-performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the assessment of classical androgens, progestogens and adrenal steroids, as well as the C11-oxy androgens and C11-oxy progestogens in serum and faeces from white rhinoceros. The limit of detection and quantification were determined for each steroid, parameters such as accuracy (<19.8 % RSD) and precision (<20.2 % RSD) were established with recovery, matrix effect, and process efficiency within acceptable limits. Subsequent analysis of serum and faecal samples from five white rhinoceros identified novel steroids for the first time in this species. In addition to the classical adrenal steroids, the following C11-oxy steroids were detected in faecal samples: 11α-hydroxydihydroprogesterone (168 ng/g), 11α-hydroxyprogesterone (125.9 ng/g), 11β-hydroxyprogesterone (210.2 ng/g) and 11-ketoandrostenedione (3.3-19.6 ng/g) with 11-deoxycortisol being the major glucocorticoid (24.2-67.3 ng/g) together with 21-deoxycortisone (40.7 ng/g) and deoxycorticosterone (7.6-14.6 ng/g). In serum samples 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (0.35-2.34 ng/mL) and 11β-hydroxytestosterone (0.18-1.62 ng/mL) were the predominant androgens with cortisol (5.8-20.5 ng/mL), the predominant glucocorticoid, while corticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone were also detected. These methods can be applied independently to assess either androgens, progestogens, or adrenal steroid panels or in combination to assess the cohort of gonadal and adrenal steroids in faeces and/or serum, in southern white rhinoceros as well as other wildlife species. Analysis would enable the accurate assessment of reproductive health and stress responses while also distinguishing between stress and distress thus contributing to the conservation of wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle Gent
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Inge D Barbier
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Stephen L Atkin
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain
| | - Annie E Newell-Fugate
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, TX 77843, United States
| | - Amanda C Swart
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa; Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
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11
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Application of Felid Hair for Non-Invasive Tracking of Animal Reproductive Status and Adrenal Activity. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202792. [PMID: 36290178 PMCID: PMC9597714 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Hair can be a useful matrix to examine the hormonal status of an animal, although it is difficult to correlate the results to a specific time point. The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal changes in cortisol and testosterone levels in the hair of four feline species (lynx, Lynx lynx, n = 8; Amur wildcat, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, n = 8; caracal, Caracal caracal, n = 6 and domestic cat, Felis catus, n = 17) with different breeding strategies. Animals of both sexes were sampled over the year, once per season (every three months), and the concentrations of hair testosterone and cortisol were measured by EIA. Both hormones showed annual dynamic changes, which coincided with the reproductive seasonality of the studied species. Sexual differences in testosterone level were found only during the mating season (spring for lynx and Amur wildcats, spring-summer for domestic cats), when testosterone levels were higher in males than in females. Cortisol levels were higher in males than in females in domestic cats and Amur wildcat, but also only during the mating season. Seasonal increases in testosterone were observed in three seasonal breeders (lynx, Amur wildcat and domestic cat) but not in caracal, which had high testosterone levels over the whole year. In lynx and Amur wildcat, it decreased sharply in the summer. Cortisol levels increased during the mating period in domestic cat males and lynx of both sexes; in caracal, an increase in cortisol was related to the transfer of animals to smaller winter cages. Measurements of steroids in hair can provide a reliable method for evaluating the reproductive status and the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in several felid species.
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12
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Pereira P, Fandos Esteruelas N, Nakamura M, Rio-Maior H, Krofel M, Di Blasio A, Zoppi S, Robetto S, Llaneza L, García E, Oleaga Á, López-Bao JV, Fayos Martinez M, Stavenow J, Ågren EO, Álvares F, Santos N. Hair cortisol concentration reflects the life cycle and management of grey wolves across four European populations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5697. [PMID: 35383239 PMCID: PMC8982655 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09711-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The grey wolf (Canis lupus) persists in a variety of human-dominated landscapes and is subjected to various legal management regimes throughout Europe. Our aim was to assess the effects of intrinsic and methodological determinants on the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) of wolves from four European populations under different legal management. We determined HCC by an enzyme-linked immune assay in 259 hair samples of 133 wolves from the Iberian, Alpine, Dinaric-Balkan, and Scandinavian populations. The HCC showed significant differences between body regions. Mean HCC in lumbar guard hair was 11.6 ± 9.7 pg/mg (range 1.6-108.8 pg/mg). Wolves from the Dinaric-Balkan and Scandinavian populations showed significantly higher HCC than Iberian wolves, suggesting that harvest policies could reflected in the level of chronic stress. A significant negative relationship with body size was found. The seasonal, sex and age patterns are consistent with other studies, supporting HCC as a biomarker of chronic stress in wolves for a retrospective time frame of several weeks. Our results highlight the need for standardization of sampling and analytical techniques to ensure the value of HCC in informing management at a continental scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pereira
- CIBIO/InBIO-Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Núria Fandos Esteruelas
- CIBIO/InBIO-Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Mónia Nakamura
- CIBIO/InBIO-Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Rio-Maior
- CIBIO/InBIO-Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Miha Krofel
- Department of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alessia Di Blasio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
- A.S.L. TO3, Azienda Sanitaria Locale di Collegno e Pinerolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Zoppi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Serena Robetto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
- CeRMAS, National Reference Centre for Wild Animal Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Quart, Aosta, Italy
| | - Luis Llaneza
- A.RE.NA, Asesores en Recursos Naturales, S.L, Lugo, Spain
| | - Emilio García
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO/CSIC/PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, Spain
| | - Álvaro Oleaga
- SERPA, Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A., Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | | | | | - Jasmine Stavenow
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik O Ågren
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Francisco Álvares
- CIBIO/InBIO-Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santos
- CIBIO/InBIO-Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal.
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13
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The Association between Endogenous Hair Steroid Hormones and Social Environmental Factors in a Group of Conscripts during Basic Military Training. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212239. [PMID: 34831996 PMCID: PMC8625620 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to analyse the association between endogenous hair steroid hormones as reliable biological indicators of an individual’s stress level and the social environmental factors experienced during military training that are manifested at the beginning of compulsory military service. Hair steroid hormone concentrations—cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and testosterone—in a group of 185 conscripts were measured using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Six subjective social environmental factors in the military—attitude towards the military and military service, adaptation to the military environment, team, task, and norm cohesion, as well as psychological (un)safety in the group—were evaluated using military-specific research questionnaires. Weak but significant negative correlations were identified between cortisol and adaptation (r = −0.176, p < 0.05), attitude (r = −0.147, p < 0.05) as well as between testosterone and task cohesion (r = −0.230, p < 0.01) levels. Additionally, a multiple forward stepwise regression analysis highlighted that cortisone variation might be partially explained by task cohesion; the DHEA—determined by psychological (un)safety in the group, attitude towards the military and military service, and norm cohesion; and the testosterone—determined by task cohesion and adaptation to the new military environment. The results of this study suggest that subjective measures of social factors can be used to predict hair steroid hormone levels as objective measures of the chronic stress perceived by conscripts during their basic military training.
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14
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Contreras ET, Vanderstichel R, Hovenga C, Lappin MR. Evaluation of hair and nail cortisol concentrations and associations with behavioral, physical, and environmental indicators of chronic stress in cats. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:2662-2672. [PMID: 34704630 PMCID: PMC8692200 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic stress is implicated in behavioral and health issues in cats, but methods for recognition, evaluation, and measurement of stress are lacking. Cortisol concentration is typically used as an indicator of stress. Objectives To evaluate use of an enzyme immunoassay to quantitate hair and nail cortisol concentrations (HCC and NCC) in cats and evaluate associations between HCC and NCC and behavioral, physical, and environmental correlates of chronic stress in cats. Animals Forty‐eight adult, owned or community cats. Methods Cross‐sectional study. Nail clippings and hair were collected from cats. Medical history and cat daily lifestyle questionnaires were completed by owners or caretakers. A commercial laboratory performed cortisol extraction and quantification using a validated enzyme immunoassay kit. Correlational and regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between HCC and NCC and behavioral, environmental, and medical factors. Results Hair and nail cortisol concentrations were significantly associated (rs = 0.70; P < .001), but HCCs varied widely within and among cats. Cats with litterbox issues had significantly increased HCC (P = .02) and NCC (P = .001) as compared to cats without litterbox issues. Cats with groomed coats had lower HCCs (P = .02) as compared to cats without groomed coats, whereas cats with dander and mats had higher NCCs (P = .01) as compared to cats without dander and mats. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The quantification of NCCs might improve identification and evaluation of chronic stress in cats. The variability of HCCs in individual cats warrants caution using this measurement in chronic stress studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena T Contreras
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine, Brookville, New York, USA
| | - Raphael Vanderstichel
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine, Brookville, New York, USA
| | - Claire Hovenga
- Humane Society of Pikes Peak Region, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael R Lappin
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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15
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Santymire RM, Ali N, Marinari PE, Livieri TM. Using hair cortisol analysis to understand the biological factors that affect black-footed ferret ( Mustela nigripes) stress physiology. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab033. [PMID: 34007452 PMCID: PMC8114467 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) was driven to near extinction due to habitat loss and an introduced disease, sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis). After 35 years of breeding in ex situ facilities, the black-footed ferret has been experiencing infertility with seminal traits declining in males and only about a third of breeding-aged females are whelping. Our goal was to use hair cortisol analysis to determine if the ex situ population was experiencing chronic stress that was affecting reproduction by comparing captive ferrets to wild individuals. Our specific objectives were to (i) compare hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) between age classes (juveniles versus adults), (ii) compare the HCCs of in situ and across different ex situ facilities and (iii) determine the relationship between HCCs and reproductive success. Overall, wild juveniles had higher HCC than wild adults. Our generalized linear mixed model determined that the parameters that best predict HCC for adults were the interactions among sex, in situ versus ex situ facilities and season. During both seasons, wild females had higher HCCs compared to the ex situ females. During the breeding season, male HCCs across breeding facilities varied and males at the breeding facility with the largest ferret habitats had HCCs similar to wild males. At one breeding facility, HCC was higher in males that sired compared to those that did not sire. In conclusion, ex situ ferrets do not have higher HCC than wild individuals when controlling for season and ex situ habitat size, and ex situ males with higher HCC tended to sire. This suggests that HCC may be metabolically driven and/or that low HCC may be an indication of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation and warrants further investigation both for laboratory validation and biological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Santymire
- Conservation and Science Department, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
- Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, 1025 E. 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - N Ali
- Conservation and Science Department, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
- Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, 1025 E. 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - P E Marinari
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - T M Livieri
- Prairie Wildlife Research, PO Box 308, Wellington, CO 80549, USA
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16
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Romero LM, Beattie UK. Common myths of glucocorticoid function in ecology and conservation. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2021; 337:7-14. [PMID: 33819389 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are popular hormones to measure in both biomedical and ecological studies of stress. Many assumptions used to interpret glucocorticoid results are derived from biomedical data on humans or laboratory rodents, but these assumptions often fail for wild animals under field conditions. We discuss five common assumptions often made about glucocorticoids in ecological and conservation research that are not generally supported by the literature. (1) High acute elevations of glucocorticoids indicate an animal in distress. In fact: because glucocorticoids are needed to survive stressors, elevated concentrations often reflect adequate coping. (2) Low glucocorticoid concentrations indicate a healthy animal. In fact: because glucocorticoids are important in responding to stressors, low glucocorticoid concentrations might indicate the lack of adequate coping. (3) Sustained elevated glucocorticoids indicate chronically stressed animals. In fact: glucocorticoid concentrations by themselves have no predictive value in diagnosing chronic stress. (4) Glucocorticoids mobilize energy to survive short-term stressors such as predator attacks. In fact: glucocorticoids' primary impact on energy regulation is to remove glucose transporters from cell surfaces. Not only is this process too slow to provide short-term energy, but glucocorticoid-induced increases in glucose reflect decreased, not increased, glucose utilization. (5) Glucocorticoid measurements in non-blood tissues (e.g., feces, hair, feathers, etc.) are equivalent to blood concentrations. In fact: these alternative tissues present imperfect reflections of blood concentrations, and it is blood concentrations that interact with receptors to evoke biological change. In summary, proper consideration of these common assumptions will greatly aid in interpreting glucocorticoid data from ecological and conservation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Michael Romero
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ursula K Beattie
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Azevedo A, Bailey L, Bandeira V, Fonseca C, Wauters J, Jewgenow K. Decreasing glucocorticoid levels towards the expansion front suggest ongoing expansion in a terrestrial mammal. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab050. [PMID: 34249365 PMCID: PMC8253928 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the causes of range expansions in abundant species can help predict future species distributions. During range expansions, animals are exposed to novel environments and are required to cope with new and unpredictable stressors. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are mediators of the hormonal and behavioural mechanisms allowing animals to cope with unpredictable changes in the environment and are therefore expected to differ between populations at expansion edge and the historic range. However, to date, very few studies have evaluated the relationship between GCs and range expansion. The Egyptian mongoose has been rapidly expanding its range in Portugal over the past 30 years. In this study, we applied an information theoretic approach to determine the most important spatial and environmental predictors of hair GCs (hGCs) in the population, after controlling for normal patterns of hGC variation in the species. We observed a decrease in hGC as distance from the historic range increased (i.e. closer to the expansion front). This distance term was present in all of the top models and had a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) that did not overlap with zero, strongly supporting its influence on hGC. We estimated a 0.031 pg/mg (95% CI: -0.057, -0.004) decrease in hGCs for each kilometre distance to the Tagus River, which was once the limit of the species' distribution. Our results indicate that the species' expansion is unlikely to be limited by mechanisms related to or mediated by the physiological stress response. The decrease in hGC levels towards the expansion edge coupled with limited evidence of a negative effect of human population density suggests that the species' northward expansion in Portugal could continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Azevedo
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar - University of Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Corresponding author: Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Liam Bailey
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Bandeira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- ForestWISE - Collaborative Laboratory for Integrated Forest and Fire Management, Quinta de Prados, Campus da UTAD 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Jella Wauters
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katarina Jewgenow
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Azevedo A, Wauters J, Kirschbaum C, Serra R, Rivas A, Jewgenow K. Sex steroids and glucocorticoid ratios in Iberian lynx hair. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa075. [PMID: 32843969 PMCID: PMC7439579 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge on species' reproductive biology is a fundamental pre-requisite of every conservation effort, but is often lacking. Sex steroids can provide valuable information for the assessment of reproductive success, whereas glucocorticoids are used to assess adrenocortical activity and stress-related bodily adaption. However, due to their perilous condition, access to animals is often difficult, which makes hormone measurement in non-invasively collected hair samples an attractive option. We determined cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, testosterone and progesterone in Iberian lynx hair using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Cross-validation was performed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Finally, we statistically evaluated the variations of sex steroids and glucocorticoids according to age, sex, origin, behavior and management. All steroids except corticosterone were detectable in Iberian lynx hair. Hair progesterone measured by EIA was overestimated by cross-reaction with 5α-dihydroprogesterone, a biologically active gestagene, and was highly correlated with HPLC-MS/MS results. Progesterone was higher in adult females compared to all other age-sex groups. Cortisol measured by EIA was overestimated due to antibody cross-reactivity with cortisone and was correlated to the sum of HPLC-MS/MS measurements for cortisol and cortisone. Cortisol was higher in females than in males measured by HPLC-MS/MS, but the EIA results were confounded by the lack of specificity. When using cortisol-cortisone and cortisol-dihydroepiandrosterone ratios, differences were noted between wild-caught and captive-bred lynxes. Additionally, longitudinal EIA measurements of an Iberian lynx after a wildfire showed an inversion of the cortisol-cortisone ratio that later subsided. These results validate the use of hair progesterone measurement for Iberian lynx reproductive monitoring and add to the growing evidence supporting the need for a more comprehensive approach to hair steroid measurement that accounts for local interconversion and co-regulation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Azevedo
- Department Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str.17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jella Wauters
- Department Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str.17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Biopsychology, Technical University of Dresden, Helmholtzstraße 10, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Rodrigo Serra
- National Breeding Breeding Center for Iberian Lynxes, 8375-082 Messines, Portugal
| | - António Rivas
- El Acebuche Iberian Lynx Captive Breeding Centre-OAPN, Doñana National Park, Matalascañas, 21760 Huelva, Spain
| | - Katarina Jewgenow
- Department Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str.17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
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19
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Vilela S, Alves da Silva A, Palme R, Ruckstuhl KE, Sousa JP, Alves J. Physiological Stress Reactions in Red Deer Induced by Hunting Activities. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1003. [PMID: 32521768 PMCID: PMC7341308 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hunting activity is usually seen as a factor capable of causing an intense stress response in wildlife that may lead to short but also long-term stress. In the Lousã Mountain, Portugal, the population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) is the target of intensive seasonal hunting. We collected and measured cortisol (and its metabolites) in three tissues types (blood, feces and hair) from red deer hunted during two hunting seasons to evaluate the stress levels at different time windows. We also assessed the immunological and physical condition of the animals. We predicted that the hunting activity would act as a stressor inducing increased short and long-term stress levels in the population. Results showed an increase in hair cortisol levels during the months of harvesting. Surprisingly, the tendency for plasma cortisol levels was to decrease during the hunting season, which could be interpreted as habituation to hunting activity, or due to the hunting duration. Contrary to our predictions, fecal cortisol metabolites did not show any clear patterns across the months. Overall, our results suggest an influence of hunting activities on the physiological stress in red deer. In addition, hair seems to be useful to measure physiological stress, although more studies are required to fully understand its suitability as an indicator of long-term stress. Methodologically, our approach highlights the importance of simultaneously using different methods to assess short and long-term effects in studies on physiological stress reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Vilela
- Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (S.V.); (A.A.d.S); (J.P.S.)
| | - António Alves da Silva
- Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (S.V.); (A.A.d.S); (J.P.S.)
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 2210, Austria;
| | - Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
| | - José Paulo Sousa
- Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (S.V.); (A.A.d.S); (J.P.S.)
| | - Joana Alves
- Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (S.V.); (A.A.d.S); (J.P.S.)
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