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Smith TE, Holmes AM, Emmans CJ, Coleman R, Hosie CA. Validating the underpinnings of water corticosterone measurement for aquatic amphibians. F1000Res 2025; 14:53. [PMID: 40018729 PMCID: PMC11865716 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.157055.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2025] Open
Abstract
Background Good animal welfare is important ethically but also to ensure animals provide valid scientific models. Despite thousands of amphibians in research laboratories there is minimal quantitative evidence pertaining to their management and welfare. This study validated methods to non-invasively measure corticosterone, the amphibian 'stress' hormone, from tank water to provide a robust and reliable welfare assessment tool. Methods We report experiments (A) that evaluate parameters linked to the performance of our biochemical extraction methods for waterborne corticosterone and, importantly, associated sampling procedures. We evaluate appropriate sampling water type, sampling vessel, filtration methods, potential degradation of waterborne corticosterone over time and the impact of sampling procedures on animal corticosterone levels. We wanted to determine sampling parameters that yielded the least background corticosterone and had minimum negative impact on the animals. The second series of experiments (B) evaluated parameters linked to the biology of Xenopus, including the influence of circadian rhythm, sex and snout-vent length on waterborne corticosterone levels, since fundamental knowledge of a species' biology is essential for designing robust experiments and in the interpretation of the results. Results We propose collecting corticosterone samples in deionised water in either plastic or glass containers. The filtering process does not impact the amount of corticosterone measured in the water sample. Levels of corticosterone collected in the water change over a 48-hr period so we advocate standardising time from hormone collection to storage at - 20 °C. Repeated transfer of frogs to sampling containers does not increase corticosterone, suggesting our methods are not cumulatively stressful. Corticosterone levels were not impacted by circadian phase, sex or snout-vent length. Conclusion We have developed and validated robust methods to quantify waterborne corticosterone. We hope they provide a template for researchers wishing to develop methods to measure waterborne corticosterone in aquatic amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa E Smith
- Amphibian Behaviour and Endocrinology Group, School of Natural Sciences, University of Chester, Department of Biological Sciences, Chester, England, CH1 4BJ, UK
| | - Andrew M Holmes
- Amphibian Behaviour and Endocrinology Group, School of Natural Sciences, University of Chester, Department of Biological Sciences, Chester, England, CH1 4BJ, UK
| | - Christopher J Emmans
- Amphibian Behaviour and Endocrinology Group, School of Natural Sciences, University of Chester, Department of Biological Sciences, Chester, England, CH1 4BJ, UK
| | - Robert Coleman
- Amphibian Behaviour and Endocrinology Group, School of Natural Sciences, University of Chester, Department of Biological Sciences, Chester, England, CH1 4BJ, UK
| | - Charlotte A Hosie
- Amphibian Behaviour and Endocrinology Group, School of Natural Sciences, University of Chester, Department of Biological Sciences, Chester, England, CH1 4BJ, UK
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2
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Share ER, Mastellar SL, Suagee-Bedore JK, Eastridge ML. Validation of a Commercial ELISA Kit for Non-Invasive Measurement of Biologically Relevant Changes in Equine Cortisol Concentrations. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2831. [PMID: 39409780 PMCID: PMC11475127 DOI: 10.3390/ani14192831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2024] [Revised: 09/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The measurement of fecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) is often used to quantify the stress response. The sampling method is relatively non-invasive, reduces concern for elevation of cortisol from the sampling method, and has been shown to measure cortisol more consistently without the daily diurnal rhythm observed in blood. Commercial ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) kits offer benefits over previously validated immunoassay methods but lack validation. The objective of this study was to evaluate a commercial ELISA kit (Arbor AssaysTM DetectX® Cortisol ELISA kit, K003-H1, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) and provide analytical and biologic validation of equine fecal and plasma samples. Horses (4 male, 4 female, mean ± SD: 4 ± 5 yr) were transported for 15 min with limited physical and visual contact via a livestock trailer. Blood and fecal samples were collected pre- and post-transportation. Parallelism, accuracy, and precision tests were used to analytically validate this kit. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4. Plasma cortisol concentrations increased in response to trailering (254.5 ± 26.4 nmol/L, 0 min post-transportation) compared to pre-transportation (142.8 ± 26.4 nmol/L). FCM concentrations increased 24 h post-trailering (10.8 ± 1.7 ng/g) when compared to pre-transportation (7.4 ± 1.7 ng/g). These data support that changes in FCMs can be observed 24 h post-stressor. In conclusion, the Arbor AssaysTM DetectX® Cortisol ELISA kit is a reliable, economic option for the measurement of biologically relevant changes in cortisol in equine plasma and FCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Share
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Sara L. Mastellar
- Agricultural Technical Institute, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA;
| | | | - Maurice L. Eastridge
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
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3
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Lacomme L, Guerbois C, Fritz H, Ganswindt A, Rey B. Validation of a field-friendly faeces drying and storage method for quantifying faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in African elephants (Loxodonta africana) opens up new perspectives for conservationists. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad053. [PMID: 37538993 PMCID: PMC10395557 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) are a relevant means of non-invasively assessing adrenocortical activity and thus, a key physiological stress response in wildlife populations. However, the widespread use of fGCMs as a stress-related biomarker in conservation biology is often hampered by the logistical challenge of storing collected faecal material frozen until it reaches the laboratory for analysis. Although alternative approaches to minimize potential alteration of fGCM composition post-defecation have been recently identified, there is to our knowledge, no satisfactory alternative method established for the preservation of elephant dung. In this study, we validated a field-friendly protocol for dehydrating African elephant faeces samples using a food dehydrator with desiccant and investigated the stability of fGCM concentrations in the dehydrated faeces when stored at ambient temperature. We collected 40 faecal samples from African elephants and compared fGCM concentrations of freeze-dried and dehydrated sample sub-sets. Samples dried in the field showed a slight but significant overall -6% reduction in fGCM concentration compared with frozen control samples. However, fGCM concentrations following field dehydration protocol match those of control samples with high accuracy, as evidenced by the low bias and strong coefficient of determination between the two approaches (R2 = 0.88). In addition, over nearly 2 months, storage time at ambient temperature of the dehydrated samples had no effect on the fGCM concentrations compared with those measured in the control samples (F-statistic = 1.82; P = 0.18). Dehydrating the samples in the field thus provides an easy and cost-effective alternative to freezing, especially when working in remote areas with unstable electrical supply. Our results encourage the widespread use of fGCMs by conservationists as non-invasive means of steroid monitoring of African elephants in the current context of a general increase in wildlife welfare research. Future studies are needed to extend the use of this protocol to other species and to other steroid classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lacomme
- Corresponding author: Biometry and Evolutionary Biology laboratory (LBBE), French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Unit 5558, University of Lyon 1, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France.
| | - Chloé Guerbois
- Sustainability Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University, George Campus, Madiba Drive, George 6529, South Africa
| | - Hervé Fritz
- Sustainability Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University, George Campus, Madiba Drive, George 6529, South Africa
| | - André Ganswindt
- Mammal Research Institute (MRI), Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Benjamin Rey
- Biometry and Evolutionary Biology laboratory (LBBE), French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS),Unit 5558, University of Lyon 1, 43 Bd du 11 novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France
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4
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Sun B, Liu M, Tang L, Zhou X, Hu C, Chen L. Variability in fecal metabolome depending on age, PFBS pollutant, and fecal transplantation in zebrafish: A non-invasive diagnosis of health. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 127:530-540. [PMID: 36522083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To protect the wellbeing of research animals, certain non-invasive measures are in increasing need to facilitate an early diagnosis of health and toxicity. In this study, feces specimen was collected from adult zebrafish to profile the metabolome fingerprint. Variability in fecal metabolite composition was also distinguished as a result of aging, perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) toxicant, and fecal transplantation. The results showed that zebrafish feces was very rich in a diversity of metabolites that belonged to several major classes, including lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate, vitamin, steroid hormone, and neurotransmitter. Fecal metabolites had functional implications to multiple physiological activities, which were characterized by the enrichment of digestion, absorption, endocrine, and neurotransmission processes. The high richness and functional involvement of fecal metabolites pinpointed feces as an abundant source of diagnostic markers. By comparison between young and aged zebrafish, fundamental modifications of fecal metabolomes were caused by aging progression, centering on the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway. Exposure of aged zebrafish to PFBS pollutant also significantly disrupted the metabolomic structure in feces. Of special concern were the changes in fecal hormone intermediates after PFBS exposure, which was concordant with the in vivo endocrine disrupting effects of PFBS. Furthermore, it was intriguing that transplantation of young zebrafish feces efficiently mitigated the metabolic perturbation of PFBS in aged recipients, highlighting the health benefits of therapeutic strategies based on gut microbiota manipulation. In summary, the present study provides preliminary clues to evidence the non-invasive advantage of fecal metabolomics in the early diagnosis and prediction of physiology and toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baili Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lizhu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangzhen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chenyan Hu
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lianguo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
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5
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Syafruddin S, Siregar TN, Wahyuni S, Gholib G, Pulungan ILC, Muchsalmina M. Transplantation of Aceh cattle ovary into the uterus of pseudopregnant local rabbits: Effect of post-transplant stress on uterine histopathology and ovarian follicle dynamics. Vet World 2023; 16:500-508. [PMID: 37041839 PMCID: PMC10082730 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.500-508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim The increase in the levels of the cortisol hormone caused by the stress conditions generated by an ovary transplantation procedure can damage the uterus of the transplant recipient as well as the transplanted ovaries. This study aimed to analyze the histopathological changes that occur in the uterine horn of pseudopregnant local rabbits (recipients), as well as the ovarian follicular integrity of the donor Aceh cattle after transplantation. Materials and Methods After 30 days of adaptation, all rabbits were divided into three treatment groups: R1 (the group of rabbits that underwent ovarian transplantation for 3 days, n = 5), R2 (the group of rabbits that underwent ovarian transplantation for 5 days, n = 5), and R3 (the group of rabbits that underwent ovarian transplantation for 7 days, n = 5). Pseudopregnancy induction was performed using the pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) methods. The rabbits were injected with 100 IU of PMSG intramuscularly, followed by an injection of 75 IU of hCG intravenously 3 days later. Ovarian transplantation was performed on day 8 (day 0 was the day of hCG injection). The concentration of cortisol hormone metabolites was measured from fecal samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The uterus and ovaries were collected for histopathological and follicular dynamics examination after the transplantation process was completed. Results The mean cortisol levels (ng/g) recorded before versus after the transplant in the R1, R2, and R3 groups were 146.23 ± 17.60 versus 338.84 ± 302.79, 128.97 ± 81.56 versus 174.79 ± 101.70, and 124.88 ± 43.61 versus 321.91 ± 221.63 (p < 0.05), respectively. The examination of the histopathological appearance of the uterus revealed edema in the uterine lumen, hyperemia and hemorrhage in the endometrium, necrosis of the epithelium, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Hemorrhage and hyperemia were severe and filled the endometrium in the R1 compared with the R2 and R3 animals. Ovarian follicle development occurred in all treatment groups, although some histopathological features were observed. The number of tertiary follicles in R1, R2, and R3 animals was 24.67 ± 7.37, 20.67 ± 7.57, and 9.67 ± 3.79 (p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the transplantation of ovaries from Aceh cattle into pseudopregnant local rabbits triggered an increase in the levels of the cortisol hormone and uterine histological changes; however, follicles were still detected at various stages of development in the transplanted Aceh cattle ovaries. The results of this study are valuable for clinicians and researchers because they provide information regarding an alternative in vivo ovarian preservation technique using pseudopregnant rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syafruddin Syafruddin
- Study Program of Graduate School of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
- Laboratory of Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Tongku Nizwan Siregar
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Sri Wahyuni
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Gholib Gholib
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
| | | | - Muchsalmina Muchsalmina
- Study Program of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
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6
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Kelly PE, Ng HJ, Farrell G, McKirdy S, Russell RK, Hansen R, Rattray Z, Gerasimidis K, Rattray NJW. An Optimised Monophasic Faecal Extraction Method for LC-MS Analysis and Its Application in Gastrointestinal Disease. Metabolites 2022; 12:1110. [PMID: 36422250 PMCID: PMC9698041 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12111110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomic approaches are widely used to investigate underlying pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disease and mechanism of action of treatments. However, there is an unmet requirement to assess faecal metabolite extraction methods for large-scale metabolomics studies. Current methods often rely on biphasic extractions using harmful halogenated solvents, making automation and large-scale studies challenging. The present study reports an optimised monophasic faecal extraction protocol that is suitable for untargeted and targeted LC-MS analyses. The impact of several experimental parameters, including sample weight, extraction solvent, cellular disruption method, and sample-to-solvent ratio, were investigated. It is suggested that a 50 mg freeze-dried faecal sample should be used in a methanol extraction (1:20) using bead beating as the means of cell disruption. This is revealed by a significant increase in number of metabolites detected, improved signal intensity, and wide metabolic coverage given by each of the above extraction parameters. Finally, we addressed the applicability of the method on faecal samples from patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and coeliac disease (CoD), two distinct chronic gastrointestinal diseases involving metabolic perturbations. Untargeted and targeted metabolomic analysis demonstrated the ability of the developed method to detect and stratify metabolites extracted from patient groups and healthy controls (HC), highlighting characteristic changes in the faecal metabolome according to disease. The method developed is, therefore, suitable for the analysis of patients with gastrointestinal disease and can be used to detect and distinguish differences in the metabolomes of CD, CoD, and HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E. Kelly
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Bacteria, Immunology, Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Omics (BINGO) Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - H Jene Ng
- School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Gillian Farrell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Shona McKirdy
- Bacteria, Immunology, Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Omics (BINGO) Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Richard K. Russell
- Bacteria, Immunology, Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Omics (BINGO) Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, 50 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Richard Hansen
- Bacteria, Immunology, Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Omics (BINGO) Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- Royal Hospital for Children, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G52 4TF, UK
| | - Zahra Rattray
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Konstantinos Gerasimidis
- Bacteria, Immunology, Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Omics (BINGO) Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Nicholas J. W. Rattray
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Bacteria, Immunology, Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Omics (BINGO) Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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7
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CHEN PZ, CHONG SQ, CHONG Q, CHAN AH, FERNANDEZ CJ, CHEN AG, CHANG SF, YAP HH, ER KB. The use of fecal cortisol for enrolment of free-roaming dogs in Singapore to a national rehabilitation-rehoming program: a possible indicator of allostasis. J Vet Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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8
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Carlin E, J. Somers M, Scheun J, Campbell R, Ganswindt A. Quantification of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites as a measure of stress in the rock hyrax
Procavia capensis
living in an urban green space. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Carlin
- Mammal Research Inst., Dept of Zoology and Entomology, Univ. of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| | - M. J. Somers
- Mammal Research Inst., Dept of Zoology and Entomology, Univ. of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Univ. of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| | - J. Scheun
- Mammal Research Inst., Dept of Zoology and Entomology, Univ. of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
- Dept of Life and Consumer Sciences, Univ. of South Africa Pretoria South Africa
| | - R. Campbell
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Inst. Pretoria South Africa
| | - A. Ganswindt
- Mammal Research Inst., Dept of Zoology and Entomology, Univ. of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
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9
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Kumari Patel S, Biswas S, Goswami S, Bhatt S, Pandav B, Mondol S. Effects of faecal inorganic content variability on quantifying glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone metabolites in large felines: Implications for physiological assessments in free-ranging animals. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 310:113833. [PMID: 34089705 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Faecal glucocorticoid (GC) and triiodothyronine (T3) metabolites and their interactions are increasingly used to monitor perceived stress and nutritional challenges in free-ranging animals. However, a number of extrinsic and intrinsic factors including hormone-inert dietary materials, inorganic matters etc. are known to affect reliable hormone metabolite quantifications. In this study, the impacts of inorganic matter (IOM) on faecal GC (fGCMs) and T3 (fT3Ms) metabolite measure were addressed in wild tiger (n = 193 from Terai Arc landscape, India) and captive lion (n = 120 from Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Gujarat, India) and possible corrective measures were evaluated. The wild tiger samples contained highly variable IOM content (9-98%, mostly with > 40% IOM) compared to captive Asiatic lion (17-57%, majority with < 40% IOM). Significant correlations were observed between IOM content and tiger fGCM (r = -0.46, p = 0.000), fT3M (r = -0.58, p = 0.000) and lion fT3M measures (r = -0.43, p = 0.003). Two corrective measures viz. removing samples with ≥ 80% IOM and subsequently expressing concentrations as per gram of organic dry matter (instead of total dry matter) reduced IOM influence on tiger fGCM, fT3M and lion fT3M, without affecting lion fGCM measures. The corrective measures changed the interpretations of fT3M data of field-collected tiger samples with no significant changes in fGCM (both tiger and lion) and fT3M (lion) data. As faecal IOM content is common in many wild species, the results emphasize the need to reduce IOM-driven hormone data variation for ecologically relevant interpretations towards species conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Kumari Patel
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Suvankar Biswas
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Sitendu Goswami
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Supriya Bhatt
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Bivash Pandav
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Samrat Mondol
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India.
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10
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Pérez JM, Espinosa J, Boos M, Azorit C, Molina L, López-Montoya AJ. Evaluation of long-term 11-oxoaetiocholanolone stability in red deer faecal samples under different storage conditions. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-01399-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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11
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Krueger K, Marr I, Dobler A, Palme R. Preservation of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites and immunoglobulin A through silica gel drying for field studies in horses. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 7:coz065. [PMID: 31687143 PMCID: PMC6821355 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstanze Krueger
- Department Equine Economics, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany
- University of Regensburg Zoology/Evolutionary Biology, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Isabell Marr
- Department Equine Economics, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany
- Department of Behavioral Physiology of Livestock, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andrea Dobler
- Department Equine Economics, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinär-Platz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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12
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Gholib G, Wahyuni S, Akmal M, Hasan M, Agil M, Purwantara B. The validation of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles of serum on the stability of cortisol and testosterone concentrations in Aceh cattle. F1000Res 2019; 8:1220. [PMID: 32148759 PMCID: PMC7047911 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19804.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: To obtain accurate measurements of cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) in Aceh cattle, commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits need to be carefully validated. Moreover, repeated freeze-thaw cycles during the storage of the samples may affect the stability of the hormones in the serum. Here, the reliability of C and T concentration measurements in the serum of Aceh cattle, was tested using commercial C and T ELISA kits designed to measure human C and T concentrations. Further, the effect of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on the stability of C and T concentrations in the serum was evaluated. Methods: Commercial C (Cat. no. EIA-1887) and T (Cat. no. EIA-1559) ELISA kits from DRG Instruments GmbH were validated through an analytical validation test (i.e., parallelism, accuracy, and precision) and a biological validation test (for C: effect of transportation on the C secretion; for T: the concentrations of T between bulls and cows). To test the effects of freeze-thaw cycles, cattle serum was subjected to the following treatments: (i) remained frozen at -20 OC (control group); (ii) exposed to freeze-thaw cycles for two, four, six, and eight times (test groups). Results: Parallelism, accuracy, and precision tests showed that both C and T ELISA kits adequately measured C and T in the serum of Aceh cattle. Concentrations of C post-transportation were significantly higher than pre-transportation (p<0.01). Concentrations of T in bulls were significantly higher than in cows (p<0.01). After four to eight freeze-thaw cycles, C concentrations were significantly lower compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). In contrast, T concentrations remained stable (all p>0.05). Conclusions: Commercial C (EIA-1887) and T (EIA-1559) ELISA kits are reliable assays for measuring serum C and T, respectively, in Aceh cattle. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly affected the stability of serum C, but did not for T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholib Gholib
- Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Sri Wahyuni
- Anatomy Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muslim Akmal
- Histology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Hasan
- Clinical Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Agil
- Department of Veterinary Clinic Reproduction and Pathology, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Jawa Barat, 16680, Indonesia
| | - Bambang Purwantara
- Department of Veterinary Clinic Reproduction and Pathology, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Jawa Barat, 16680, Indonesia
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Gholib G, Wahyuni S, Akmal M, Hasan M, Agil M, Purwantara B. The validation of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles of serum on the stability of cortisol and testosterone concentrations in Aceh cattle. F1000Res 2019; 8:1220. [PMID: 32148759 PMCID: PMC7047911 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19804.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: To obtain accurate measurements of cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) in Aceh cattle, commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits need to be carefully validated. Moreover, repeated freeze-thaw cycles during the storage of the samples may affect the stability of the hormones in the serum. Here, the reliability of C and T concentration measurements in the serum of Aceh cattle, was tested using commercial C and T ELISA kits designed to measure human C and T concentrations. Further, the effect of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on the stability of C and T concentrations in the serum was evaluated. Methods: Commercial C (Cat. no. EIA-1887) and T (Cat. no. EIA-1559) ELISA kits from DRG Instruments GmbH were validated through an analytical validation test (i.e., parallelism, accuracy, and precision) and a biological validation test (for C: effect of transportation on the C secretion; for T: the concentrations of T between bulls and cows). To test the effects of freeze-thaw cycles, cattle serum was subjected to the following treatments: (i) remained frozen at -20 OC (control group); (ii) exposed to freeze-thaw cycles for two, four, six, and eight times (test groups). Results: Parallelism, accuracy, and precision tests showed that both C and T ELISA kits adequately measured C and T in the serum of Aceh cattle. Concentrations of C post-transportation were significantly higher than pre-transportation (p<0.01). Concentrations of T in bulls were significantly higher than in cows (p<0.01). After four to eight freeze-thaw cycles, C concentrations were significantly lower compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). In contrast, T concentrations remained stable (all p>0.05). Conclusions: Commercial C (EIA-1887) and T (EIA-1559) ELISA kits are reliable assays for measuring serum C and T, respectively, in Aceh cattle. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly affected the stability of serum C, but did not for T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholib Gholib
- Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Sri Wahyuni
- Anatomy Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muslim Akmal
- Histology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Hasan
- Clinical Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Agil
- Department of Veterinary Clinic Reproduction and Pathology, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Jawa Barat, 16680, Indonesia
| | - Bambang Purwantara
- Department of Veterinary Clinic Reproduction and Pathology, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Jawa Barat, 16680, Indonesia
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Gholib G, Wahyuni S, Akmal M, Hasan M, Agil M, Purwantara B. The validation of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles of serum on the stability of cortisol and testosterone concentrations in Aceh cattle. F1000Res 2019; 8:1220. [PMID: 32148759 PMCID: PMC7047911 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19804.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To obtain accurate measurements of cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) in Aceh cattle, commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits need to be carefully validated. Moreover, repeated freeze-thaw cycles during the storage of the samples may affect the stability of the hormones in the serum. Here, the reliability of C and T concentration measurements in the serum of Aceh cattle, was tested using commercial C and T ELISA kits designed to measure human C and T concentrations. Further, the effect of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on the stability of C and T concentrations in the serum was evaluated. Methods: Commercial C (Cat. no. EIA-1887) and T (Cat. no. EIA-1559) ELISA kits from DRG Instruments GmbH were validated through an analytical validation test (i.e., parallelism, accuracy, and precision) and a biological validation test (for C: effect of transportation on the C secretion; for T: the concentrations of T between bulls and cows). To test the effects of freeze-thaw cycles, cattle serum was subjected to the following treatments: (i) remained frozen at -20 OC (control group); (ii) exposed to freeze-thaw cycles for two, four, six, and eight times (test groups). Results: Parallelism, accuracy, and precision tests showed that both C and T ELISA kits adequately measured C and T in the serum of Aceh cattle. Concentrations of C post-transportation were significantly higher than pre-transportation (p<0.01). Concentrations of T in bulls were significantly higher than in cows (p<0.01). After four to eight freeze-thaw cycles, C concentrations were significantly lower compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). In contrast, T concentrations remained stable (all p>0.05). Conclusions: Commercial C (EIA-1887) and T (EIA-1559) ELISA kits are reliable assays for measuring serum C and T, respectively, in Aceh cattle. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly affected the stability of serum C, but did not for T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholib Gholib
- Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Sri Wahyuni
- Anatomy Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muslim Akmal
- Histology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Hasan
- Clinical Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Agil
- Department of Veterinary Clinic Reproduction and Pathology, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Jawa Barat, 16680, Indonesia
| | - Bambang Purwantara
- Department of Veterinary Clinic Reproduction and Pathology, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Jawa Barat, 16680, Indonesia
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Palme R. Non-invasive measurement of glucocorticoids: Advances and problems. Physiol Behav 2018; 199:229-243. [PMID: 30468744 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 354] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs; i.e. cortisol/corticosterone) are a central component of the stress response and thus their measurement is frequently used to evaluate the impact of stressful situations. Their metabolites from faeces of various animal species are more and more taken as a non-invasive aid to assess GC release and thus adrenocortical activity. The current literature review includes an extensive collection (1327 papers) and evaluation (see also Supplementary Tables) of the literature on faecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolite (FCM) analysis published to date. It aims at giving reference for researchers interested in implementing FCM analysis into their study or seeking to improve such methods by providing background knowledge on GC metabolism and excretion, conveying insights into methodological issues and stating caveats of FCM analysis and by highlighting prerequisites for and some examples of a successful application of such methods. Collecting faecal samples and analysing FCMs may appear simple and straightforward, but researchers have to select and apply methods correctly. They also need to be aware of the many pitfalls and potentially confounding factors and, last but not least, have to carefully interpret results. Applied properly, measurement of FCMs is a powerful non-invasive tool in a variety of research areas, such as (stress) biology, ethology, ecology, animal conservation and welfare, but also biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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