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Grundei LL, Wolf TE, Brandes F, Schütte K, Freise F, Siebert U, Touma C, Pees M. Validation of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites as Non-Invasive Markers for Monitoring Stress in Common Buzzards ( Buteo buteo). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1234. [PMID: 38672380 PMCID: PMC11047616 DOI: 10.3390/ani14081234] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
For wild animals, being in captivity in wildlife centers can cause considerable stress. Therefore, it is necessary to establish and validate non-invasive tools to measure chronic stress during rehabilitation. Eight Common Buzzards which lived in permanent husbandry were placed individually into prepared aviaries and their feces were collected before, during and after a stress event for biological validation over a period of seven days. The extracted fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) were analyzed with three different enzyme immune assays (EIA) to find the most suitable one. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the stability of fGCM levels after defecation because further metabolization by bacterial enzymes can lead to changed results. The Cortisone-EIA performed best in males and females and showed that the stress event led to an fGCM increase of 629% (557% in females and 702% in males) in relation to basal values. We found no significant differences between the sexes, but observed significant differences between different times of day. FGCM concentration significantly changed after eight hours at room temperature. Our study successfully validated the non-invasive measurement of fGCM as a stress indicator in Common Buzzards and could therefore lay the foundation for future studies providing new insights for animal welfare research in Buzzards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara-Luisa Grundei
- Department of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Tanja E. Wolf
- Department of Behavioral Biology, School of Biology/Chemistry, Osnabrück University, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
- Mammal Research Institute, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Florian Brandes
- Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, Hohe Warte 1, 31553 Sachsenhagen, Germany
| | - Karolin Schütte
- Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, Hohe Warte 1, 31553 Sachsenhagen, Germany
| | - Fritjof Freise
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute of Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hanover, Germany
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Behavioral Biology, School of Biology/Chemistry, Osnabrück University, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Michael Pees
- Department of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hanover, Germany
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Dziki-Michalska K, Tajchman K, Kowalik S. Physiological response of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) during stalking hunts depending on age. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:266. [PMID: 38071359 PMCID: PMC10709921 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03833-8] [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: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a species particularly reactive to all kinds of negative stimuli. Hunting activity is one of the most potent stressors that disturbs the welfare of wild animals. During stress, various endocrine responses are elicited to improve the physical performance of the affected individual. A commonly assessed hormone for overcoming stressful situations is cortisol (CORT). In this study, plasma CORT levels in roe deer were assessed during the season of the most intense stalking hunts in Poland (summer vs. late autumn), the sex of the harvested animals (males vs. females), and age of harvest animal. In addition, the health status of the roe doe was evaluated on the basis of selected indices of blood chemistry, which could be associated with circulating cortisol levels. RESULTS The mean cortisol levels were 58.066 ng/ml in the male group (summer) and 27.694 ng/ml in the female group (late autumn). Higher CORT levels were associated with a significantly lower of total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and uric acid (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean concentration of uric acid was negatively correlated with the level of CORT in the male and female groups (p < 0.05). Together with the increase in mean CORT level, the HDL cholesterol of all the tested animals increased significantly (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Higher CORT in males during the summer than in females during the late autumn were most likely due to the arousal with the mating season. The level of CORT increased with the animals' age. Uric acid and age are both predictors of roe deer's serum CORT level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Dziki-Michalska
- Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, 20-950, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tajchman
- Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.
| | - Sylwester Kowalik
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, Lublin, 20-033, Poland
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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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Thompson DP, Crouse JA, McDonough TJ, Barboza PS, Jaques S. Acute Thermal and Stress Response in Moose to Chemical Immobilization. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Thompson
- Alaska Department of Fish and GameKenai Moose Research Center 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road Suite B Soldotna AK 99669 USA
| | - John A. Crouse
- Alaska Department of Fish and GameKenai Moose Research Center 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road Suite B Soldotna AK 99669 USA
| | | | - Perry S. Barboza
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries SciencesTexas A&M University Room 274, Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecological Sciences Building, TAMU 2258 Building 1537, 534 John Kimbrough Boulevard College Station TX 77843 USA
| | - Scott Jaques
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic LaboratoryTexas A&M University 483 Agronomy Road College Station TX 77840 USA
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Formenti N, Viganó R, Fraquelli C, Trogu T, Bonfanti M, Lanfranchi P, Palme R, Ferrari N. Increased hormonal stress response of Apennine chamois induced by interspecific interactions and anthropogenic disturbance. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1228-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Hunninck L, Ringstad IH, Jackson CR, May R, Fossøy F, Uiseb K, Killian W, Palme R, Røskaft E. Being stressed outside the park-conservation of African elephants ( Loxodonta africana) in Namibia. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox067. [PMID: 29270294 PMCID: PMC5734242 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The conservation of the African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) is of prime importance for many African countries. Interactions between elephants and humans are known to induce stress and thereby have the potential to affect elephants' fitness. In Namibia, anthropogenic disturbances are increasing due to increasing human population size and development, particularly near protected areas, such as national parks. In this study, we investigated elephant stress levels in relation to their land use, specifically their protection status, comparing elephants within Etosha National Park in Namibia with elephants residing outside the park. We noninvasively collected dung samples of 91 elephants and determined the concentration of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM), an indicator of physiological stress. Elephants outside the park (N = 35) had significantly higher concentrations of fGCM than those inside ENP (N = 56), suggesting that, despite including community-based conservancies, unprotected areas are more stressful for elephants than protected areas, most likely due to increased interactions with humans. We also found that males had lower fGCM concentrations than females, but no significant effect of age, body size or group size was detected. Additionally, herd sizes were significantly smaller and calf recruitment was potentially lower in unprotected areas. These findings underpin the importance of protected areas such as ENP, while encouraging decision-makers to continue reducing and mitigating potential human-induced disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Hunninck
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology—NTNU, Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 1, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Iris H Ringstad
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology—NTNU, Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 1, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Craig R Jackson
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research—NINA, Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Roel May
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research—NINA, Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Frode Fossøy
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology—NTNU, Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 1, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research—NINA, Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kenneth Uiseb
- Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Directorate of Scientific Services, P/Bag 13306, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Werner Killian
- Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Directorate of Scientific Services, P/Bag 13306, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Rupert Palme
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eivin Røskaft
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology—NTNU, Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 1, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Badenhorst M, Otto M, van der Goot AC, Ganswindt A. Stress steroid levels and the short-term impact of routine dehorning in female southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum). AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2016.1261002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcha Badenhorst
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Michelle Otto
- Buffalo Dream Ranch Wildlife Veterinary Services, Klerksdorp, South Africa
| | | | - André Ganswindt
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
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Bashaw MJ, Sicks F, Palme R, Schwarzenberger F, Tordiffe ASW, Ganswindt A. Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). BMC Vet Res 2016; 12:235. [PMID: 27756312 PMCID: PMC5070010 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0864-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numbers of giraffes are declining rapidly in their native habitat. As giraffe research and conservation efforts increase, the demand for more complete measures of the impact of conservation interventions and the effects of captive environments on animal health and welfare have risen. We compared the ability of six different enzyme immunoassays to quantify changes in fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) resulting from three sources: adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test, transport, and time of day that samples were collected. Results Two male giraffes underwent ACTH injections; all six assays detected FGM increases following injection for Giraffe 1, while only three assays detected FGM increases following injection for Giraffe 2. Consistent with other ruminant species, the two 11-oxoetiocholanolone assays (one for 11,17-dioxoandrostanes and the other for 3α,11-oxo metabolites) measured the most pronounced and prolonged elevation of FGM, while an assay for 3β,11β-diol detected peaks of smaller magnitude and duration. Both of the 11-oxoetiocholanolone assays detected significant FGM increases after transport in Giraffes 3–7, and preliminary data suggest FGM detected by the assay for 11,17-dioxoandrostanes may differ across time of day. Conclusions We conclude the assay for 11,17-dioxoandrostanes is the most sensitive assay tested for FGM in giraffes and the assay for FGM with a 5β-3α-ol-11-one structure is also effective. 11-oxoetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassays have now been demonstrated to be successful in a wide variety of ruminant species, providing indirect evidence that 5β-reduction may be a common metabolic pathway for glucocorticoids in ruminants. As FGM peaks were detected in at least some giraffes using all assays tested, giraffes appear to excrete a wide variety of different FGM. The assays validated here will provide a valuable tool for research on the health, welfare, and conservation of giraffes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0864-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith J Bashaw
- Wildlife Reproductive Centre, Taronga Conservation Society of Australia, Dubbo, NSW, Australia. .,Department of Psychology, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA.
| | | | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz Schwarzenberger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrian S W Tordiffe
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa.,National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andre Ganswindt
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Endocrine Research Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
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Dantzer B, Santicchia F, van Kesteren F, Palme R, Martinoli A, Wauters LA. Measurement of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris): effects of captivity, sex, reproductive condition, and season. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyw095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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