Noninvasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) by measurement of fecal cortisol metabolites.
A method for measuring glucocorticoids noninvasively in feces of roe deer was established and validated. The enzyme immunoassay (EIA) measures 11,17-dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA), a group of cortisol metabolites. Such measurement avoids blood sampling and reflects a dampened pattern of diurnal glucocorticoid secretion, providing an integrated measure of adrenocortical activity. After high-performance liquid chromatography, the presence of at least three different immunoreactive 11,17-DOA in the feces of roe deer was demonstrated. The physiological relevance of these fecal cortisol metabolites to adrenocortical activity was evaluated with an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge test: cortisol metabolite concentrations exceeded pretreatment levels (31-78 ng/g) up to 13-fold (183-944 ng/g) within 8-23 h. Starting from basal levels between 13 and 71 ng/g, a suppression of adrenocortical activity after dexamethasone administration, indicated by metabolite levels close to the detection limit, was obtained 36-81 h after treatment, whereas unmetabolized dexamethasone was detectable in feces 12 h after its injection. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assessment via EIA is therefore of use in the monitoring of adrenocortical activity in roe deer. In a second experiment, capture, veterinary treatment, and transportation of animals were used as experimental stresses. This resulted in a 7.5-fold increase of fecal metabolites (1200 +/- 880 ng/g, mean +/- SD) compared to baseline concentrations. The administration of a long-acting tranquilizer (LAT), designed to minimize the physiological stress response, 2 days prior to a similar stress event led to a reduced stress response, resulting in only a 4-fold increase of fecal metabolites (650 +/- 280 ng/g; mean +/- SD). Therefore, LATs should be further investigated for their effectiveness in reducing stress responses in zoo and wild animals, e.g., when translocations are necessary.
Dehnhard
M
M
Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung, Berlin, Germany.
Clauss
M
M
Lechner-Doll
M
M
Meyer
H H
HH
Palme
R
R
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000731:Androstanes / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010546:Perphenazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism
D000731:Androstanes; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D010546:Perphenazine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; C028675:perphenazine enanthate