title: Circadian Rhythm and Stress Response in Droppings ofSerinus canaria.
abstract: Serinus canariais a widespread domestic ornamental songbird, whose limited knowledge of biology make compelling studies aimed to monitor stress. Here, a commercial enzyme immunoassay was adopted to measure immunoreactive corticosterone (CORT) in singleSerinus canariadropping sample, to monitor the daily fecal excretion of CORT in birds bred singly or in-group and to detect the effect promoted by aviary or small transport cage restraint. A robust daily rhythm of CORT was recorded in animals held on short-day light cycle, independent of bred conditions (single or group), which persisted when space availability was modified in single bred animal (transfer in aviary and transport cages). By contrast, a significant change in CORT excretion was recorded when group bred animals are restrained in a smaller cage. The daily rhythm in CORT excretion in response to manipulation showed the greatest response at the beginning of the light period, followed by the absence of the peak usually recorded at the end of the dark phase. These data indicated that EIA could be used as a reliable noninvasive approach to monitor the stress induced by restraint conditions inSerinus canaria.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Basic and Applied Bioscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turriani
authors.affiliation: Unit of Basic and Applied Bioscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5140-9656
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bernabò
authors.affiliation: Unit of Basic and Applied Bioscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0231-8066
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barboni
authors.affiliation: Via per Mosciano, No. 96, Giulianova, 64021 Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Todisco
authors.affiliation: Via Villafranca No. 11, 72100 Brindisi, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Montini
authors.affiliation: Unit of Basic and Applied Bioscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berardinelli