| Records |
| Author |
Touma, C.; Sachser, N.; Mostl, E.; Palme, R. |
| Title |
Effects of sex and time of day on metabolism and excretion of corticosterone in urine and feces of mice |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication  |
General and Comparative Endocrinology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Gen Comp Endocrinol |
| Volume |
130 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
267-278 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Circadian Rhythm/*physiology; Corticosterone/*metabolism/urine; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Kinetics; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Reference Values; Sex Factors; Stress/metabolism; Time Factors; Tritium |
| Abstract |
Non-invasive techniques to monitor stress hormones in small animals like mice offer several advantages and are highly demanded in laboratory as well as in field research. Since knowledge about the species-specific metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoids is essential to develop such a technique, we conducted radiometabolism studies in mice (Mus musculus f. domesticus, strain C57BL/6J). Each mouse was injected intraperitoneally with 740 kBq of 3H-labelled corticosterone and all voided urine and fecal samples were collected for five days. In a first experiment 16 animals (eight of each sex) received the injection at 9 a.m., while eight mice (four of each sex) were injected at 9 p.m. in a second experiment. In both experiments radioactive metabolites were recovered predominantly in the feces, although males excreted significantly higher proportions via the feces (about 73%) than females (about 53%). Peak radioactivity in the urine was detected within about 2h after injection, while in the feces peak concentrations were observed later (depending on the time of injection: about 10h postinjection in experiment 1 and about 4h postinjection in experiment 2, thus proving an effect of the time of day). The number and relative abundance of fecal [3H]corticosterone metabolites was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC separations revealed that corticosterone was extensively metabolized mainly to more polar substances. Regarding the types of metabolites formed, significant differences were found between males and females, but not between the experiments. Additionally, the immunoreactivity of these metabolites was assessed by screening the HPLC fractions with four enzyme immunoassays (EIA). However, only a newly established EIA for 5alpha-pregnane-3beta,11beta,21-triol-20-one (measuring corticosterone metabolites with a 5alpha-3beta,11beta-diol structure) detected several peaks of radioactive metabolites with high intensity in both sexes, while the other EIAs showed only minor immunoreactivity. Thus, our study for the first time provides substantial information about metabolism and excretion of corticosterone in urine and feces of mice and is the first demonstrating a significant impact of the animals' sex and the time of day. Based on these data it should be possible to monitor adrenocortical activity non-invasively in this species by measuring fecal corticosterone metabolites with the newly developed EIA. Since mice are extensively used in research world-wide, this could open new perspectives in various fields from ecology to behavioral endocrinology. |
| Address |
Department of Behavioral Biology, Institute of Neuro and Behavioral Biology, University of Muenster, Badestrasse 9, D-48149 Muenster, Germany. touma@uni-muenster.de |
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Place of Publication |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0016-6480 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:12606269 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4086 |
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| Author |
Li, C.; Jiang, Z.; Tang, S.; Zeng, Y. |
| Title |
Influence of enclosure size and animal density on fecal cortisol concentration and aggression in Pere David's deer stags |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2007 |
Publication |
General and Comparative Endocrinology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Gen Comp Endocrinol |
| Volume |
151 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
202-209 |
| Keywords |
*Aggression; Animals; *Deer; *Environment; Feces/*chemistry; Handling (Psychology); Housing, Animal; Hydrocortisone/*analysis; Male; Population Density |
| Abstract |
We investigated the impact of enclosure size and animal density on behavior and adrenocortical secretion in Pere David's deer in Dafeng Nature Reserve, China. From February 15 to April 16 in 2004, we conducted two experiments. First, we studied maintenance behavior and conflict behavior of Pere David's deer stags in a large enclosure (200 ha) with low animal density (0.66 deer/ha) and a small display pen (0.75 ha) with high animal density (25.33 deer/ha). The maintenance behavior we recorded included standing, locomotion, foraging and rest. During the behavioral observations, we collected fresh voided fecal samples from the stags periodically, and analyzed the fecal cortisol concentrations in those samples using radioimmunoassay technique. Second, we monitored the fecal cortisol concentrations of one group of stags (12 deer lived in an enclosure of 100 ha) before and after transferred into a small pen (0.5 ha). We found that in the first experiment: (1) there were significant differences in standing and rest whereas no significant differences of locomotion and foraging between the free-ranging group and the display group; (2) frequency of conflict behavior in the display group was significantly higher than those in the free-ranging group; and (3) fecal cortisol concentration of the display group (326.17+/-16.98 ng/g dry feces) was significantly higher than that of the free-ranging group (268.98+/-15.21 ng/g dry feces). In the second experiment, there was no significant difference of the fecal cortisol concentrations among sampling days, but the mean fecal cortisol concentration of the day after transferring (337.46+/-17.88 ng/g dry feces) was significantly higher than that of the day before transferring (248.44+/-7.99 ng/g dry feces). Comparison with published findings, our results indicated that enclosure size and animal density affect not only behaviors, but also adrenocortical secretion in Pere David's deer. Small living space with high animal density may impose physiological stress to captive Pere David's deer. Moreover, long-term physiological stress and increase of conflict behavior may subsequently affect survival and reproduction of the deer. |
| Address |
Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0016-6480 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:17324429 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
5475 |
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| Author |
Alexander, F. |
| Title |
The effect of some anti-diarrhoeal drugs on intestinal transit and faecal excretion of water and electrolytes in the horse |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1978 |
Publication |
Equine veterinary journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
10 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
229-234 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Antidiarrheals/*pharmacology; Atropine/pharmacology; Electrolytes/*analysis/urine; Feces/*analysis; Gastrointestinal Motility/*drug effects; Horses/*metabolism/physiology; Loperamide/pharmacology; Male; Meperidine/pharmacology; Morphine/pharmacology; Opium/pharmacology; Water/*analysis |
| Abstract |
The effect of morphine, Tinct. opii, loperamide, pethidine and atropine on intestinal transit and the faecal and urinary excretion of water and electrolytes was studied in ponies. The rate of passage of a particulate marker was slowed by morphine, hastened then slowed by loperamide and Tinct. opii, and hastened by atropine. The liquid marker was slowed by Tinct. opii and hastened then slowed by the other drugs. Only loperamide decreased the faecal sodium excretion. This drug also decreased faecal water and weight; it appeared worthy of clinical trial in diarrhoea. Tinct. opii decreased by morphine, pethidine and atropine increased faecal water. |
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Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0425-1644 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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| Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:738263 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
110 |
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| Author |
Husted, L.; Andersen, M.S.; Borggaard, O.K.; Houe, H.; Olsen, S.N. |
| Title |
Risk factors for faecal sand excretion in Icelandic horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
37 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
351-355 |
| Keywords |
Animal Feed; Animal Husbandry/methods; Animals; Denmark; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control/veterinary; Horse Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control; Horses/*metabolism; Logistic Models; Male; Pilot Projects; *Poaceae/growth & development; Risk Factors; Silicon Dioxide/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*analysis; Soil/*analysis |
| Abstract |
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Sandy soil is often mentioned as a risk factor in the development of sand-related gastrointestinal disease (SGID) in the horse. There are other variables, but few studies confirm any of these. OBJECTIVE: To investigate soil type, pasture quality, feeding practice in the paddock, age, sex and body condition score as risk factors for sand intake in the horse. METHODS: Faeces were collected from 211 Icelandic horses on 19 different studs in Denmark together with soil samples and other potential risk factors. Sand content in faeces determined by a sand sedimentation test was interpreted as evidence of sand intake. Soil types were identified by soil analysis and significance of the data was tested using logistic analysis. RESULTS: Of horses included in the study, 56.4% showed sand in the faeces and 5.7% had more than 5 mm sand as quantified by the rectal sleeve sedimentation test. Soil type had no significant effect when tested as main effect, but there was interaction between soil type and pasture quality. Significant interactions were also found between paddock feeding practice and pasture quality. CONCLUSION: To evaluate the risk of sand intake it is important to consider 3 variables: soil type, pasture quality and feeding practice. Pasture quality was identified as a risk factor of both short and long grass in combination with sandy soil, while clay soil had the lowest risk in these combinations. Feeding practice in the paddock revealed feeding directly on the ground to be a risk factor when there was short (1-5 cm) or no grass. Also, no feeding outdoors increased the risk on pastures with short grass, while this had no effect in paddocks with no grass. More than 50% of all horses investigated in this study had sand in the faeces. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The identification of risk factors is an important step towards prevention of SGID. Further research is necessary to determine why some horses exhibit more than 5 mm sand in the sedimentation test and whether this is correlated with geophagic behaviour. |
| Address |
Department of Large Animal Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Dyrlaegevej 88, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0425-1644 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:16028626 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
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Serial |
1888 |
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| Author |
Milinovich, G.J.; Trott, D.J.; Burrell, P.C.; van Eps, A.W.; Thoefner, M.B.; Blackall, L.L.; Al Jassim, R.A.M.; Morton, J.M.; Pollitt, C.C. |
| Title |
Changes in equine hindgut bacterial populations during oligofructose-induced laminitis |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Environmental Microbiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Environ Microbiol |
| Volume |
8 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
885-898 |
| Keywords |
Animal Feed; Animals; Bacteria/classification/*isolation & purification; DNA, Bacterial/analysis; Disease Models, Animal; Feces/microbiology; Foot Diseases/etiology/microbiology/*veterinary; Horse Diseases/*etiology/metabolism/microbiology; Horses; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Intestines/*microbiology; Oligosaccharides/*administration & dosage/*metabolism; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Bacterial/analysis; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis |
| Abstract |
In the horse, carbohydrate overload is thought to play an integral role in the onset of laminitis by drastically altering the profile of bacterial populations in the hindgut. The objectives of this study were to develop and validate microbial ecology methods to monitor changes in bacterial populations throughout the course of experimentally induced laminitis and to identify the predominant oligofructose-utilizing organisms. Laminitis was induced in five horses by administration of oligofructose. Faecal specimens were collected at 8 h intervals from 72 h before to 72 h after the administration of oligofructose. Hindgut microbiota able to utilize oligofructose were enumerated throughout the course of the experiment using habitat-simulating medium. Isolates were collected and representatives identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The majority of these isolates collected belonged to the genus Streptococcus, 91% of which were identified as being most closely related to Streptococcus infantarius ssp. coli. Furthermore, S. infantarius ssp. coli was the predominant oligofructose-utilizing organism isolated before the onset of lameness. Fluorescence in situ hybridization probes developed to specifically target the isolated Streptococcus spp. demonstrated marked population increases between 8 and 16 h post oligofructose administration. This was followed by a rapid population decline which corresponded with a sharp decline in faecal pH and subsequently lameness at 24-32 h post oligofructose administration. This research suggests that streptococci within the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex may be involved in the series of events which precede the onset of laminitis in the horse. |
| Address |
Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. g.milinovich@uq.edu.au |
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Place of Publication |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
1462-2912 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:16623745 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2625 |
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| Author |
Griffin, B. |
| Title |
The use of fecal markers to facilitate sample collection in group-housed cats |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science / American Association for Laboratory Animal Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci |
| Volume |
41 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
51-56 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal; Biological Markers/*analysis; Cats/*physiology/psychology; Diet/veterinary; Feces/*chemistry; Food Coloring Agents/analysis; Housing, Animal; Individuality; Plastics/analysis; Specimen Handling/methods/*veterinary |
| Abstract |
The provision of proper social housing is a priority when designing an experiment using domestic cats as laboratory animals. When animals are group-housed, studies requiring analysis of stool samples from individual subjects pose difficulty in sample collection and identification. In this study, commercially available concentrated food colorings (known as bakers pastes) were used as fecal markers in group-housed cats. Cats readily consumed 0.5 ml of bakers paste food coloring once daily in canned cat food. Colorings served as fecal markers by imparting a distinct color to each cat s feces, allowing identification in the litter box. In addition, colored glitter (1/8 teaspoon in canned food) was fed to cats and found to be a reliable fecal marker. Long-term feeding of colorings and glitter was found to be safe and effective at yielding readily identifiable stools. |
| Address |
Scott-Ritchey Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama 36841, USA |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
1060-0558 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:11958604 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4165 |
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| Author |
Alexander, F. |
| Title |
The effect of diuretics on the faecal excretion of water and electrolytes in horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1977 |
Publication |
British journal of pharmacology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Br J Pharmacol |
| Volume |
60 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
589-593 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Body Water/*metabolism; Chlorides/metabolism; Electrolytes/*metabolism; Feces/*analysis; Furosemide/*pharmacology; Horses; Hydrochlorothiazide/*pharmacology; Male; Potassium/metabolism; Sodium/metabolism; Time Factors |
| Abstract |
1. The effect on plasma, urinary and faecal electrolytes of frusemide and hydrochlorthiazide was measured in ponies, mean weight 180 kg. 2. The rapid loss in urine of large quantities of sodium had only a small effect on plasma sodium concentration. 3. Faecal sodium excretion was increased substantially after the administration of frusemide. 4. Frusemide increased faecal potassium during the 48 h following administration and faecal water in the 24/48 h period. It also produced a hypopotassaemia. 5. Hydrochlorthiazide increased faecal chloride during the 24 h after administration. 6. Frusemide increased the intestinal transit time of both liquid (polyethylene glycol) and particulate (Cr2O3) markers. |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0007-1188 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:907872 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
111 |
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| Author |
Touma, C.; Palme, R. |
| Title |
Measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in mammals and birds: the importance of validation |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann N Y Acad Sci |
| Volume |
1046 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
54-74 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Birds/*metabolism; Circadian Rhythm; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/*analysis; Mammals/*metabolism; Reproducibility of Results; Seasons; Sex Factors |
| Abstract |
In recent years, the noninvasive monitoring of steroid hormone metabolites in feces of mammals and droppings of birds has become an increasingly popular technique. It offers several advantages and has been applied to a variety of species under various settings. However, using this technique to reliably assess an animal's adrenocortical activity is not that simple and straightforward to apply. Because clear differences regarding the metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) exist, a careful validation for each species and sex investigated is obligatory. In this review, general analytical issues regarding sample storage, extraction procedures, and immunoassays are briefly discussed, but the main focus lies on experiments and recommendations addressing the validation of fecal GCM measurements in mammals and birds. The crucial importance of scrutinizing the physiological and biological validity of fecal GCM analyses in a given species is stressed. In particular, the relevance of the technique to detect biologically meaningful alterations in adrenocortical activity must be shown. Furthermore, significant effects of the animals' sex, the time of day, season, and different life history stages are discussed, bringing about the necessity to seriously consider possible sex differences as well as diurnal and seasonal variations. Thus, comprehensive information on the animals' biology and stress physiology should be carefully taken into account. Together with an extensive physiological and biological validation, this will ensure that the measurement of fecal GCMs can be used as a powerful tool to assess adrenocortical activity in diverse investigations on laboratory, companion, farm, zoo, and wild animals. |
| Address |
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, D-80804 Munich, Germany. touma@mpipsykl.mpg.de |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0077-8923 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:16055843 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4073 |
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| Author |
Thiel, D.; Jenni-Eiermann, S.; Palme, R. |
| Title |
Measuring corticosterone metabolites in droppings of capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus) |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann N Y Acad Sci |
| Volume |
1046 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
96-108 |
| Keywords |
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/administration & dosage/analysis/metabolism; Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Corticosterone/administration & dosage/*analysis/*metabolism; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Freezing; Galliformes/*metabolism; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Sex Factors; Temperature; Time Factors; Tritium/diagnostic use |
| Abstract |
The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), the largest grouse species in the world, is decreasing in numbers in major parts of its distribution range. Disturbances by human outdoor activities are discussed as a possible reason for this population decline. An indicator for disturbances is the increase of the glucocorticoid corticosterone, a stress hormone, which helps to cope with life-threatening situations. However, repeated disturbances might result in a long-term increase of the basal corticosterone concentration, which can result in detrimental effects like reduced fitness and survival of an animal. To measure corticosterone metabolites (CMs) noninvasively in the droppings of free-living capercaillies, first an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in captive birds had to be selected and validated. Therefore, the excretion pattern of intravenously injected radiolabeled corticosterone was determined and 3H metabolites were characterized. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separations of the samples containing peak concentrations revealed that corticosterone was extensively metabolized. The HPLC fractions were tested in several EIAs for glucocorticoid metabolites. The physiological relevance of this method was proved after pharmacological stimulation of the adrenocortical activity. Only the recently established cortisone assay, measuring CMs with a 3,11-dione structure, detected an expressed increase of concentrations following ACTH stimulation. To set up a sampling protocol suited for the field, we examined the influence of various storage conditions and time of day on concentrations of CMs. |
| Address |
Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204 Sempach, Switzerland. dominik.thiel@vogelwarte.ch |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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0077-8923 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:16055846 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4079 |
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| Author |
Baltic, M.; Jenni-Eiermann, S.; Arlettaz, R.; Palme, R. |
| Title |
A noninvasive technique to evaluate human-generated stress in the black grouse |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann N Y Acad Sci |
| Volume |
1046 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
81-95 |
| Keywords |
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/metabolism; Animals; Bird Diseases/*metabolism; Conservation of Natural Resources; Corticosterone/*metabolism; Ecosystem; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Galliformes/*metabolism; Immunoenzyme Techniques/methods/veterinary; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Stress/metabolism/*veterinary; Tritium/diagnostic use |
| Abstract |
The continuous development of tourism and related leisure activities is exerting an increasingly intense pressure on wildlife. In this study, a novel noninvasive method for measuring stress in the black grouse, an endangered, emblematic species of European ecosystems that is currently declining in several parts of its European range, is tested and physiologically validated. A radiometabolism study and an ACTH challenge test were performed on four captive black grouse (two of each sex) in order to get basic information about the metabolism and excretion of corticosterone and to find an appropriate enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) to measure its metabolites in the feces. Peak radioactivity in the droppings was detected within 1 to 2 hours. Injected (3)H-corticosterone was excreted as polar metabolites and by itself was almost absent. A cortisone-EIA was chosen from among seven tested EIAs for different groups of glucocorticoid metabolites, because it cross-reacted with some of the formed metabolites and best reflected the increase of excreted corticosterone metabolites, after the ACTH challenge test. Concentrations of the metabolites from fecal samples collected from snow burrows of free-ranging black grouse were within the same range as in captive birds. The noninvasive method described may be appropriate for evaluating the stress faced by free-living black grouse populations in the wild, particularly in mountain ecosystems where human disturbance, especially by winter sports, is of increasing conservation concern. |
| Address |
Zoological Institute, Division of Conservation Biology, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland |
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Editor |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0077-8923 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:16055845 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4080 |
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