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Author |
Flauger, B; Möstl, E.; Krueger., K. |
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Title |
The introduction of horses into new groups: Social interactions and cortisol release |
Type |
Conference Article |
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Year |
2012 |
Publication |
Proceedings of the 2. International Equine Science Meeting |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 2. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg |
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Volume |
in press |
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Keywords |
Introduction technique; Aggression; Injury risk; Endocrine response; Stress; Integration horse |
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Abstract |
Domestic horses are kept in so-called “fate societies” where they have to deal with frequent mixing. Several studies have evaluated and discussed the aggression level and injury risk during the introduction of horses into new groups, but nothing is known about the endocrine responses and thus if horses experience stress during introduction.
In this study we analysed the efficiency of four approved introduction techniques and evaluated the introduction of 30 horses into 11 different groups. Horses were introduced: 1) immediately, 2) after observing the new group for several days, 3) together with an “integration horse” after several days of observation, or 4) with a mixed strategy. Aggressive as well as positive social behaviour between the introduced horses and the group members were analysed the two hours following the introduction event. In addition, we focussed on the glucocorticoid production of the newcomer horses by measuring faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) on the day of the introduction as well as the following three days.
For the four introduction techniques we found significant differences in the horses’ aggressive and submissive behaviour as well as in their total interactions. The introduction together with an integration horse led to significantly lower levels of aggression and less total interactions than the immediate introduction of single horses.
Horses which were introduced immediately or after an observation period showed significantly elevated levels of FCM on the first, second and third day after the introduction. For horses introduced together with an integration horse FCM were already significantly higher on the day of the introduction, indicating a stressful event before the introduction itself. In contrast, FCM levels were always very low when using the mixed technique.
In sum, horses have the ability to deal with conflict when they are introduced to new group members. The introduction event itself appears not to be as stressful as previously assumed. Standing together with an “integration horse” on a separate paddock and not being able to integrate immediately into a new group appears to be stressful for the newcomer. Based on the findings of our study we suggest to introduce new horses in group management together with a new group mate, a so-called “integration horse”. This would reduce the number of total social interactions as well as the aggression level. While this technique may be stressful for the newcomer, it lowers aggressive behaviour between the introduced horse and the group members and consequently reduces injury risks. |
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Corporate Author |
Flauger, B. |
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Publisher |
Xenophon Publishing |
Place of Publication |
Wald |
Editor |
Krueger, K. |
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978-3-9808134-26 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
5551 |
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Author |
Zentall, T.R. |
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Title |
Mental time travel in animals: a challenging question |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Behavioural processes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav. Process. |
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Volume |
72 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
173-183 |
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Keywords |
Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Columbidae; Concept Formation; Conditioning, Operant; *Imagination; *Memory; Mental Recall; Planning Techniques; Rats; *Time Perception; Transfer (Psychology) |
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Abstract |
Humans have the ability to mentally recreate past events (using episodic memory) and imagine future events (by planning). The best evidence for such mental time travel is personal and thus subjective. For this reason, it is particularly difficult to study such behavior in animals. There is some indirect evidence, however, that animals have both episodic memory and the ability to plan for the future. When unexpectedly asked to do so, animals can report about their recent past experiences (episodic memory) and they also appear to be able to use the anticipation of a future event as the basis for a present action (planning). Thus, the ability to imagine past and future events may not be uniquely human. |
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Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA. zentall@uky.edu |
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0376-6357 |
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PMID:16466863 |
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no |
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Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
218 |
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Author |
Schwarzenberger, F.; Mostl, E.; Bamberg, E.; Pammer, J.; Schmehlik, O. |
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Title |
Concentrations of progestagens and oestrogens in the faeces of pregnant Lipizzan, trotter and thoroughbred mares |
Type |
Journal Article |
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Year |
1991 |
Publication |
Journal of reproduction and fertility. Supplement |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Reprod Fertil Suppl |
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Volume |
44 |
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Pages |
489-499 |
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Keywords |
Animals; Estrogens/*analysis; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Gestational Age; Horses/*metabolism; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Labor, Obstetric; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal/*metabolism; Pregnenes/analysis; Progestins/*analysis |
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Abstract |
Faecal samples were collected at weekly intervals from pregnant Lipizzan mares during Weeks 7-16 following mating and from Lipizzan, Trotter and Thoroughbred mares during the last 3 months of gestation. After parturition, samples were taken daily from the Thoroughbred mares for another 6 days. Non-pregnant mares served as controls. The concentrations of unconjugated oestrogens (Eg), 20 alpha-OH-progestagens (20 alpha-G) and 20 beta-OH-progestagens (20 beta-G) were measured by enzyme immunoassay. In the faeces of Lipizzan mares, immunoreactive progestagens were significantly (P less than 0.01) elevated above the levels in non-pregnant mares by Week 11, and Eg by Week 13 of pregnancy onwards. During the last 3 months of gestation, concentrations of Eg were significantly higher in Trotter mares than in Lipizzan and Thoroughbred mares. Concentrations of 20 alpha-G and 20 beta-G increased to maximal values in the last month of gestation. There was no significant difference among the 3 breeds with respect to 20 alpha-G but, during the 10 weeks before parturition, concentrations of 20 beta-G in the Lipizzan mares were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than those in the Thoroughbred mares. They were also significantly lower than those of the Trotter mares during the last 4 weeks of gestation. After parturition, the concentrations of Eg and progestagens had declined to baseline values by Days 3 and 4 respectively. From these results we conclude that high concentrations of progestagens with 20 alpha- and 20 beta-hydroxyl groups are present in the faeces of pregnant mares, especially during the last month of gestation. |
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Institut fur Biochemie, Veterinary Medical University, Vienna, Austria |
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English |
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ISSN |
0449-3087 |
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Notes |
PMID:1795293 |
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no |
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Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
322 |
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Author |
Chilton, N.B. |
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Title |
The use of nuclear ribosomal DNA markers for the identification of bursate nematodes (order Strongylida) and for the diagnosis of infections |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Animal Health Research Reviews / Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim Health Res Rev |
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Volume |
5 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
173-187 |
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Keywords |
Animals; Birds; Cats; DNA Primers; DNA, Helminth/*analysis; DNA, Ribosomal/*analysis; Dogs; Horses; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/veterinary; Ruminants; Strongylida/*genetics; Strongylida Infections/diagnosis/*veterinary |
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Abstract |
Many bursate nematodes are of major importance to animal health. Animals are often parasitized by multiple species that differ in their prevalence, relative abundance and/or pathogenicity. Implementation of effective management strategies for these parasites requires reliable methods for their detection in hosts, identification to the species level and measurement of intensity of infection. One major problem is the difficulty of accurately identifying and distinguishing many species of bursate nematode because of the remarkable morphological similarity of their eggs and larvae. The inability to identify, with confidence, individual nematodes (irrespective of their life-cycle stage) to the species level by morphological methods has often led to a search for species-specific genetic markers. Studies over the past 15 years have shown that sequences of the internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA provide useful genetic markers, providing the basis for the development of PCR-based diagnostic tools. Such molecular methods represent powerful tools for studying the systematics, epidemiology and ecology of bursate nematodes and, importantly, for the specific diagnosis of infections in animals and humans, thus contributing to improved control and prevention strategies for these parasites. |
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Address |
Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada. neil.chilton@usask.ca |
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English |
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ISSN |
1466-2523 |
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Notes |
PMID:15984323 |
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no |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2628 |
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Author |
Gasser, R.B.; Hung, G.-C.; Chilton, N.B.; Beveridge, I. |
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Title |
Advances in developing molecular-diagnostic tools for strongyloid nematodes of equids: fundamental and applied implications |
Type |
Journal Article |
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Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Molecular and Cellular Probes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Mol Cell Probes |
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Volume |
18 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
3-16 |
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Keywords |
Animals; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Ribosomal/analysis; Equidae/*parasitology; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/*methods; Parasitic Diseases, Animal/diagnosis; Strongylida/classification/genetics; Strongylida Infections/*diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology/veterinary |
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Abstract |
Infections of equids with parasitic nematodes of the order Strongylida (subfamilies Strongylinae and Cyathostominae) are of major veterinary importance. In last decades, the widespread use of drugs against these parasites has led to problems of resistance within the Cyathostominae, and to an increase in their prevalence and intensity of infection. Novel control strategies, based on improved knowledge of parasite biology and epidemiology, have thus become important. However, there are substantial limitations in the understanding of fundamental biological and systematic aspects of these parasites, which have been due largely to limitations in their specific identification and diagnosis using traditional, morphological approaches. Recently, there has been progress in the development of DNA-based approaches for the specific identification of strongyloids of equids for systematic studies and disease diagnosis. The present article briefly reviews information on the classification, biology, pathogenesis, epidemiology of equine strongyloids and the diagnosis of infections, highlights knowledge gaps in these areas, describes recent advances in the use of molecular techniques for the genetic characterisation, specific identification and differentiation of strongyloids of equids as a basis for fundamental investigations of the systematics, population biology and ecology. |
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Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia. robinbg@unimelb.edu.au |
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English |
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ISSN |
0890-8508 |
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Notes |
PMID:15036364 |
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no |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2636 |
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Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Passler, S.; Pfeffer, M. |
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Title |
Detection of antibodies to alphaviruses and discrimination between antibodies to eastern and western equine encephalitis viruses in rabbit sera using a recombinant antigen and virus-specific monoclonal antibodies |
Type |
Journal Article |
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Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Journal of Veterinary Medicine. B, Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Vet Med B Infect Dis Vet Public Health |
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Volume |
50 |
Issue |
6 |
Pages |
265-269 |
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Keywords |
Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*immunology; Antibodies, Viral/*analysis/blood; DNA Primers; Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine/genetics/*immunology; Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine/genetics/*immunology; Encephalomyelitis, Equine/*diagnosis/*virology; Epitopes; Fluorescent Antibody Technique/*veterinary; Horses; Rabbits; Recombination, Genetic; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary |
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Abstract |
Three arthropod-borne alphaviruses, western equine encephalitis viruses (WEEV), eastern equine encephalitis viruses (EEEV) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses are the aetiological agents of a sometimes severe encephalomyelitis in equines and humans in the New World. With regard to the different ecology and epidemiology of these viruses, a method applied in serological screening should be able to distinguish between them as well as other related members of the genus Alphavirus in the American continent. However, this has been hampered in the past by (a) the close antigenic relationship between alphaviruses in traditional serological assays, especially in the routinely used haemagglutination-inhibition, and (b) the need of biosafety level 3 facilities to grow the viral antigens. An epitope blocking assay using an EEEV glycoprotein E1-expressing recombinant Sindbis virus and virus-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) binding to the E1 of EEEV (strain NJ/60) and the E1 of Sindbis virus was established using automated flow cytometry. The test was evaluated using sera of infected and vaccinated rabbits. A cut-off value of 30% inhibition for antigenic complex-specific seroconversion was found to be sufficient for the detection of the respective infection. By using three different mAbs in parallel, we were able to detect alphavirus genus-, EEEV- and WEEV-complex-specific serum antibodies. As this test is based on the inhibition of binding of virus-specific mAbs, sera of every origin other than mouse can be tested. Thus, this assay may prove useful in the serological screening of a variety of animal species during an outbreak investigation. |
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Institute for Medical Microbiology, Infectious and Epidemic Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany |
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English |
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ISSN |
0931-1793 |
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Notes |
PMID:14628996 |
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no |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2639 |
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Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Sebastiani, F.; Meiswinkel, R.; Gomulski, L.M.; Guglielmino, C.R.; Mellor, P.S.; Malacrida, A.R.; Gasperi, G. |
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Title |
Molecular differentiation of the Old World Culicoides imicola species complex (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), inferred using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2001 |
Publication |
Molecular Ecology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Mol Ecol |
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Volume |
10 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
1773-1786 |
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Keywords |
Africa; Animals; Ceratopogonidae/*classification/*genetics; Ecology; Evolution, Molecular; Female; *Genetic Markers; Madagascar; Phylogeny; *Polymorphism, Genetic; *Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Variation (Genetics) |
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Abstract |
Samples of seven of the 10 morphological species of midges of the Culicoides imicola complex were considered. The importance of this species complex is connected to its vectorial capacity for African horse sickness virus (AHSV) and bluetongue virus (BTV). Consequently, the risk of transmission may vary dramatically, depending upon the particular cryptic species present in a given area. The species complex is confined to the Old World and our samples were collected in Southern Africa, Madagascar and the Ivory Coast. Genomic DNA of 350 randomly sampled individual midges from 19 populations was amplified using four 20-mer primers by the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. One hundred and ninety-six interpretable polymorphic bands were obtained. Species-specific RAPD profiles were defined and for five species diagnostic RAPD fragments were identified. A high degree of polymorphism was detected in the species complex, most of which was observed within populations (from 64 to 76%). Principal coordinate analysis (PCO) and cluster analysis provided an estimate of the degree of variation between and within populations and species. There was substantial concordance between the taxonomies derived from morphological and molecular data. The amount and the different distributions of genetic (RAPD) variation among the taxa can be associated to their life histories, i.e. the abundance and distribution of the larval breeding sites and their seasonality. |
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Address |
Department of Animal Biology, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 9, I-27100 Pavia, Italy |
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English |
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ISSN |
0962-1083 |
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Notes |
PMID:11472544 |
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no |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2647 |
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Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Menges, R.W.; Furcolow, M.L.; Selby, L.A.; Habermann, R.T.; Smith, C.D. |
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Title |
Ecologic studies of histoplasmosis |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
1967 |
Publication |
American Journal of Epidemiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Am J Epidemiol |
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Volume |
85 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
108-119 |
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Keywords |
Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Antibodies/*analysis; Carnivora; Cats; Cattle; Child; Child, Preschool; Dogs; Ecology; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Histoplasma/isolation & purification; Histoplasmin; Histoplasmosis/*epidemiology/*immunology; Horses; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Kansas; Male; Marsupialia; Mice; Middle Aged; Missouri; Rabbits; Skin Tests; *Soil Microbiology; Swine |
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English |
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ISSN |
0002-9262 |
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Notes |
PMID:5334640 |
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no |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2747 |
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Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Hurn, S.D.; Turner, A.G. |
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Title |
Ophthalmic examination findings of Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Veterinary Ophthalmology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Vet Ophthalmol |
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Volume |
9 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
95-100 |
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Keywords |
Animals; Cataract/epidemiology/veterinary; Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological/veterinary; Eye Diseases/diagnosis/epidemiology/*veterinary; Female; Horse Diseases/diagnosis/*epidemiology; Horses; Male; Prevalence; Victoria/epidemiology |
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Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To record the prevalence and document the types of eye disease in population of Thoroughbred racehorses in Victoria, Australia. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Two hundred four Thoroughbred racehorses. PROCEDURE: All horses and both eyes were examined at four metropolitan and two country racing stable complexes. Ophthalmic exam was performed following dark adaptation with a transilluminator, biomicroscope, and direct ophthalmoscope. Intraocular pressures were measured when indicated. Both pupils were dilated with tropicamide when indicated. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-two (89.2%) flat-racing and 22 (10.8%) jump-racing (hurdle or steeple) horses were examined. Age range: 2-9 years (mean 3.7 years, median 3); 97 (47.5%) male-neuter, 74 (36. 3%) female, 33 (16.2%) male. Potential vision-threatening eye disease was present in 15 (7.4%) different horses: complete lenticular cataracts 3, posterior lens luxation and cataract 1, large peripapillary 'butterfly' inactive lesions 3, large peripapillary 'butterfly' active lesions 2, peripapillary focal inactive 'bullet hole' chorioretinal lesions (> 20) 5, optic nerve atrophy 1. Non-vision threatening eye disease was present in 117 (57.4%) different horses, involving one or more ocular structures: lower eyelid scars 3; periocular fibropapillomatous disease 1; third eyelid squamous cell carcinoma 1; corneal scars 6; corneal band opacity 2; anterior iris synechia 1; developmental cataracts 36 (17.2%); peripapillary focal inactive 'bullet hole' chorioretinal lesions (< 20) 103 (50.0%); linear peripapillary hyperpigmentation bands 16 (7.9%). Unusual variations of normal ocular anatomy and colobomata was recorded in 11 (5.4%) different horses: granular iridica hypoplasia 3, granular iridica hyperplasia 2, multilobular granular iridica cyst 1, microcornea 1, hyaloid remnant 1, rotated optic nerve head 1, coloboma of the lens 1, atypical coloboma of the retina 1. CONCLUSIONS: This survey demonstrates that the prevalence of vision-threatening eye disease in racing horses may be greater than previously perceived, and highlights the importance of ocular examination within any routine physical examination of horses. |
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Address |
All Animal Eye Services, Mount Waverley, Victoria, Australia. sdhurn@bigpond.com |
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English |
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ISSN |
1463-5216 |
ISBN |
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Notes |
PMID:16497233 |
Approved |
no |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
3766 |
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Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Heistermann, M.; Palme, R.; Ganswindt, A. |
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Title |
Comparison of different enzyme-immunoassays for assessment of adrenocortical activity in primates based on fecal analysis |
Type |
Journal Article |
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Year |
2006 |
Publication |
American journal of primatology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Am. J. Primatol. |
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Volume |
68 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
257-273 |
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Keywords |
11-Hydroxycorticosteroids/*analysis; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/pharmacology; Anesthesia; Animals; Corticosterone/analysis; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/*analysis; Haplorhini/*metabolism; Hydrocortisone/analysis; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/drug effects/physiology; Immunoenzyme Techniques/*methods; Pituitary-Adrenal System/drug effects/physiology; Species Specificity |
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Abstract |
Most studies published to date that used fecal glucocorticoid measurements to assess adrenocortical activity in primate (and many nonprimate) species applied a specific cortisol or corticosterone assay. However, since these native glucocorticoids are virtually absent in the feces of most vertebrates, including primates, the validity of this approach has recently been questioned. Therefore, the overall aim of the present study was to assess the validity of four enzyme-immunoassays (EIAs) using antibodies raised against cortisol, corticosterone, and reduced cortisol metabolites (two group-specific antibodies) for assessing adrenocortical activity using fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (GCM) measurements in selected primate species (marmoset, long-tailed macaque, Barbary macaque, chimpanzee, and gorilla). Using physiological stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis by administering exogenous ACTH or anesthesia, we demonstrated that at least two assays detected the predicted increase in fecal GCM levels in response to treatment in each species. However, the magnitude of response varied between assays and species, and no one assay was applicable to all species. While the corticosterone assay generally was of only limited suitability for assessing glucocorticoid output, the specific cortisol assay was valuable for those species that (according to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis data) excreted clearly detectable amounts of authentic cortisol into the feces. In contrast, in species in which cortisol was virtually absent in the feces, group-specific assays provided a much stronger signal, and these assays also performed well in the other primate species tested (except the marmoset). Collectively, the data suggest that the reliability of a given fecal glucocorticoid assay in reflecting activity of the HPA axis in primates clearly depends on the species in question. Although to date there is no single assay system that can be used successfully across species, our data suggest that group-specific assays have a high potential for cross-species application. Nevertheless, regardless of which GC antibody is chosen, our study clearly reinforces the necessity of appropriately validating the respective assay system before it is used. |
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Department of Reproductive Biology, German Primate Center, Gottingen, Germany. mheiste@gwdg.de |
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English |
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0275-2565 |
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PMID:16477600 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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4078 |
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