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Author Heistermann, M.; Palme, R.; Ganswindt, A. doi  openurl
  Title Comparison of different enzyme-immunoassays for assessment of adrenocortical activity in primates based on fecal analysis Type Journal Article
  Year 2006 Publication American journal of primatology Abbreviated Journal Am. J. Primatol.  
  Volume 68 Issue 3 Pages 257-273  
  Keywords (down) 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  
  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.  
  Address Department of Reproductive Biology, German Primate Center, Gottingen, Germany. mheiste@gwdg.de  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0275-2565 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:16477600 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4078  
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Author Mostl, E.; Palme, R. url  openurl
  Title Hormones as indicators of stress Type Journal Article
  Year 2002 Publication Domestic Animal Endocrinology Abbreviated Journal Fourth International Conference on Farm Animal Endocrinology  
  Volume 23 Issue 1-2 Pages 67-74  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract Animal welfare is of increasing importance and absence of chronic stress is one of its prerequisites. During stress, various endocrine responses are involved to improve the fitness of the individual. The front-line hormones to overcome stressful situations are the glucocorticoids and catecholamines. These hormones are determined as a parameter of adrenal activity and thus of disturbance. The concentration of glucocorticoids (or their metabolites) can be measured in various body fluids or excreta. Above all, fecal samples offer the advantage that they can be easily collected and this procedure is feedback free. Recently, enzyme immunoassays (EIA) have been developed and successfully tested, to enable the measurement of groups of cortisol metabolites in animal feces. The determination of these metabolites in fecal samples is a practical method to monitor glucocorticoid production.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4067  
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Author Möstl, E.; Palme, R. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Hormones as indicators of stress Type Journal Article
  Year 2002 Publication Domestic Animal Endocrinology Abbreviated Journal Domest. Anim. Endocrinol.  
  Volume 23 Issue 1–2 Pages 67-74  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract Animal welfare is of increasing importance and absence of chronic stress is one of its prerequisites. During stress, various endocrine responses are involved to improve the fitness of the individual. The front-line hormones to overcome stressful situations are the glucocorticoids and catecholamines. These hormones are determined as a parameter of adrenal activity and thus of disturbance. The concentration of glucocorticoids (or their metabolites) can be measured in various body fluids or excreta. Above all, fecal samples offer the advantage that they can be easily collected and this procedure is feedback free. Recently, enzyme immunoassays (EIA) have been developed and successfully tested, to enable the measurement of groups of cortisol metabolites in animal feces. The determination of these metabolites in fecal samples is a practical method to monitor glucocorticoid production.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0739-7240 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5930  
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Author Palme, R. pdf  isbn
openurl 
  Title Non-invasive monitoring of stress hormones for welfare assessment in domestic and wild equids Type Conference Article
  Year 2015 Publication Proceedings of the 3. International Equine Science Meeting Abbreviated Journal Proc. 3. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract Stress responses play an important role in allowing animals to cope with challenges. Glucocorticoids, key elements in the neuroendocrine stress axis, are traditionally measured as a parameter for welfare assessment. As blood sample collection itself disturbs an animal, non-invasive or minimal invasive methods have gained importance for assessing stress. In horses saliva and faeces are most frequently used. Faecal samples offer the advantage that they can be collected easily and stress-free. In faecal samples circulating hormone levels are integrated over a certain period of time. As a consequence faecal glucocorticoid metabolites represent the cumulative secretion and they are less affected by short episodic fluctuations of hormone secretion.

However, in order to gain reliable information about an animal’s adrenocortical activity, certain criteria have to be met: Depending whether the impact of acute or chronic stressors is assessed, frequent sampling might be necessary whereas in other cases, single samples will suffice. Background knowledge regarding the metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoids is essential and a careful validation is obligatory. In addition, this presentation will address analytical issues regarding sample storage, extraction procedures, and immunoassays and various examples of a successful application in equids will be given. Applied properly, non-invasive techniques to monitor stress hormones are a useful tool for animal welfare assessment.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Palme, R. Thesis  
  Publisher Xenophon Publishing Place of Publication Wald Editor Krueger, K.  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title Proc. 3. Int. Equine. Sci. Mtg  
  Series Volume in prep Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN 978-3-95625-000-2 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Id - Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5795  
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Author Sheriff, M.J.; Dantzer, B.; Delehanty, B.; Palme, R.; Boonstra, R. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Measuring stress in wildlife: techniques for quantifying glucocorticoids Type Journal Article
  Year 2011 Publication Oecologia Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 166 Issue 4 Pages 869-887  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract Stress responses play a key role in allowing animals to cope with change and challenge in the face of both environmental certainty and uncertainty. Measurement of glucocorticoid levels, key elements in the neuroendocrine stress axis, can give insight into an animal’s well-being and can aid understanding ecological and evolutionary processes as well as conservation and management issues. We give an overview of the four main biological samples that have been utilized [blood, saliva, excreta (feces and urine), and integumentary structures (hair and feathers)], their advantages and disadvantages for use with wildlife, and some of the background and pitfalls that users must consider in interpreting their results. The matrix of choice will depend on the nature of the study and of the species, on whether one is examining the impact of acute versus chronic stressors, and on the degree of invasiveness that is possible or desirable. In some cases, more than one matrix can be measured to achieve the same ends. All require a significant degree of expertise, sometimes in obtaining the sample and always in extracting and analyzing the glucocorticoid or its metabolites. Glucocorticoid measurement is proving to be a powerful integrator of environmental stressors and of an animal’s condition.  
  Address  
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  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1432-1939 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Sheriff2011 Serial 6150  
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Author M, E.; östl,.; Messmann, S.; Bagu, E.; Robia, C.; Palme, R. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Measurement of Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in Faeces of Domestic Livestock Type Journal Article
  Year 1999 Publication Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series A Abbreviated Journal J. Vet. Med. A  
  Volume 46 Issue 10 Pages 621-631  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract After 14C-labelled cortisol infusion in ponies and pigs, faecal samples were collected. Extraction of 0.5 g faeces with 5 ml 80–90 % methanol yielded the highest radioactivity in the supernatant. Most of the metabolites were ether soluble. After high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the presence of immunoreactive metabolites was demonstrated by measuring each HPLC fraction using enzyme immunoassays for cortisol, corticosterone and 11-oxoaetiocholanolone. Only the assay for 11-oxoaetiocholanolone revealed peaks with co-eluting radioactivity. For biological validation of the test system, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and dexamethasone were injected intravenously successively in both species (n = 6). Cortisol concentration in blood and the 11-oxoaetiocholanolone immunoreactive substances in faeces were determined. In horse faeces, basal values of 2.3–35.2 nmol/kg were measured. After ACTH administration, an increase (more than 200 % above basal values) of these metabolites was seen about 1 day after ACTH administration. After dexamethasone injection the levels decreased, reaching minimum concentrations 2 days after administration. In pigs, an increase in these metabolites was measured in only three animals after ACTH; dexamethasone did not cause a decrease. The stability of the samples after defecation was tested by storing samples from cows, horses and pigs at room temperature. It was shown that there was a significant increase in the concentration of measured cortisol metabolites in bovine, equine and porcine faeces after storage for 1 h, 4 h and 24 h, respectively. In frozen samples this effect was diminished after thawing samples at 40°C; thawing the samples at 95°C prevented an increase in immunoreactive substances.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Blackwell Science, Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1439-0442 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6043  
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Author Palme, R.; Touma, C.; Arias,N.; Dominchin, M.F.; Lepschy, M. openurl 
  Title Steroid extraction: Get the best out of faecal samples Type Journal Article
  Year 2012 Publication Veterinary Medicine Austria Abbreviated Journal Vet. Med. Austria  
  Volume 100 Issue Pages 238-246  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract Faecal steroid hormone metabolites are becoming increasingly popular as parameters for reproductive functions and stress. Theextraction of the steroids from the faecal matrix represents the initial step before quantification can be performed. The steroid metabolites present in the faecal matrix are of varying polarity and composition, so selection of a proper extraction procedure is essential. There have been some studies to address this complex but often neglected point. Radiolabelled

steroids (e.g. cortisol or progesterone) have frequently been added to faecal samples to estimate the efficiency of the extraction procedures used. However, native, unmetabolized steroids are normally not present in the faeces and therefore the results are artificial and do not accurately reflect the actual recoveries of the substances of interest. In this respect, recovery experiments based on faecal samples from radiometabolism studies are more informative. In these samples, the metabolite content accurately reflects the mixture of metabolites present in the given species. As a result, it is possible to evaluate different extraction methods for use with faecal samples. We present studies on sheep, horses, pigs, hares and dogs that utilized samples containing naturally metabolized, 14C-labelled steroids.
 
  Address Review, faeces, extrac- tion, non-invasive hormone moni- toring, stress, reproduction.  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6046  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Merl, S.; Scherzer, S.; Palme, R.; Möstl, E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Pain causes increased concentrations of glucocorticoid metabolites in horse feces Type Journal Article
  Year 2000 Publication Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Abbreviated Journal J Equine Vet Sci  
  Volume 20 Issue 9 Pages 586-590  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract The concentration of 11,17-dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA), a group of cortisol metabolites, was measured using enzyme immunoassay in fecal samples of horses experiencing painful episodes. One group of horses consisted of 10 stallions castrated (samples were collected daily for 10 days); the other group was made up of 29 horses which were brought to an animal hospital because of signs of colic (samples were collected twice daily for six days). Before castration, median concentrations of 10.5 nmol/kg feces were measured. On days 1 and 2 after castration, median 11,17-DOA values increased up to 26.2 and 50.0 nmol/kg feces, respectively, and decreased thereafter to levels lower than at the beginning of the sampling period. High variations were measured between individual cases of colic. In animals with colic, all horses excreted more than 33 nmol 11,17-DOA/kg feces for various periods. The highest concentration measured was 885 nmol/kg feces. One animal out of the 29 colic horses did not show any clinical signs of pain upon arrival in the hospital. The 11,17-DOA values were below 17 nmol/kg feces in all those samples. From this data we conclude, that the concentration of 11,17-DOA in feces is a parameter for painful situations that have occurred one or two days earlier.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0737-0806 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6047  
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Author Pawluski, J.; Jego, P.; Henry, S.; Bruchet, A.; Palme, R.; Coste, C.; Hausberger, M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Low plasma cortisol and fecal cortisol metabolite measures as indicators of compromised welfare in domestic horses (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
  Year 2017 Publication Plos One Abbreviated Journal Plos One  
  Volume 12 Issue 9 Pages e0182257  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to chronic stress is far from straight forward, particularly with regards to animal welfare. There are reports of no effect as well as both decreases and increases in cortisol after chronic stressors. Therefore, the first aim of the present study was to determine how measures of compromised welfare, such as chronic pain and haematological anomalies, related to cortisol levels in domestic horses (Equus caballus). Domestic horses are an informative model to investigate the impact of chronic stress (due to environment, pain, work, housing conditions...) on the HPA axis. The second aim was to determine whether levels of fecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) may be used as an indicator of welfare measures. The present study used fifty-nine horses (44 geldings and 15 mares), from three riding centres in Brittany, France. The primary findings show that horses whose welfare was clearly compromised (as indicated by an unusual ears backward position, presence of vertebral problems or haematological anomalies, e.g. anaemia) also had lower levels of both FCM and plasma cortisol. This work extends our previous findings showing that withdrawn postures, indicators of depressive-like behavior in horses, are associated with lower plasma cortisol levels. We also found that evening plasma cortisol levels positively correlated with FCM levels in horses. Future research aims to determine the extent to which factors of influence on welfare, such as living conditions (e.g. single stalls versus group housing in pasture or paddocks), early life factors, and human interaction, act as mediators of cortisol levels in horses.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Public Library of Science Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6516  
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Author Krueger, K.; Marr, I.; Dobler, A.; Palme, R. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Preservation of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites and immunoglobulin A through silica gel drying for field studies in horses Type Journal Article
  Year 2019 Publication Conservation Physiology Abbreviated Journal conphys  
  Volume 7 Issue 1 Pages  
  Keywords (down)  
  Abstract Non-invasive methods enable stress evaluation through measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the feces avoiding stressful blood drawing or stressful restraining of animals in the field. However, FGMs and IgA are mostly analysed in freshly frozen samples, which is difficult when fresh samples cannot be frozen immediately or frozen samples cannot be stored or transported. Good results were also derived from air-dried fecal samples, which are hampered by unstable air humidity in the field. These difficulties may be overcome, when drying of samples could be induced with colorless silica gel (SiO2) granules in a secure set-up, such as an air tight tube. We determined the speed of drying 1.5 g of a fresh fecal sample from six horses on air and on silica gel. Furthermore, FGMs and IgA were analysed in differently stored subsamples from 12 horses: in frozen fecal samples, in air- or silica gel-dried samples stored for 1 day and for 7 days, and in wet fecal samples kept in a tube at room temperature for 7 days. FGM levels remained stable in feces dried on air or on silica gel for 7 days, whereas IgA quantities showed a significant loss. Under field conditions, when freezing or transporting the frozen samples is not possible and humidity hampers air drying, drying samples on silica gel in air tight tubes appears to be very helpful and reliable for analysing FGMs.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2051-1434 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6594  
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