title: Measurement of faecal corticoid metabolites in domestic dogs.
abstract: In the present study we established a method for the determination of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in dogs and then used the assay to evaluate the adrenocortical activity in 12 dogs divided into two groups. In group A faecal samples were collected at their domestic setting. In group B, faecal samples were collected at home prior to transport to a boarding kennel, where faecal samples were then collected. In faecal samples most of the steroids were extracted with methanol and determined using a radioimmunoassay with an anti-cortisol antibody. Dogs in group A did not show any statistically significant inter-day variations in the basal levels of faecal corticoid metabolites. Faecal corticoid metabolites in dogs in group B were significantly higher on the first day at the kennel compared to animals kept at home. The peak concentration was found after 24 hours and followed by a slow decline. These results suggest that extraction with methanol and dosage with an anti-cortisol antibody by radioimmunoassay represents a valid approach technique for determination of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites and accurately reflects adrenocortical activity.
authors.affiliation: Section of Clinical Science, Department of Animal Pathology, University of Turin, Italy. anna.farca@unito.it
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Farca
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cavana
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Badino
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barbero
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Odore
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pollicino
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone