Patterns of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in captive roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) in relation to reproductive status and season

Show simple item record

dc.contributor.author Kamgang, Vanessa Wandja
dc.contributor.author Bennett, Nigel Charles
dc.contributor.author Van der Goot, Annemieke C.
dc.contributor.author Majelantle, Tshepiso Lesedi
dc.contributor.author Ganswindt, Andre
dc.date.accessioned 2023-11-01T12:58:44Z
dc.date.available 2023-11-01T12:58:44Z
dc.date.issued 2022-09
dc.description DATA BASE : The data generated and subsequently analysed during this study are available on the repository of the University of Pretoria. The digital object identifier assigned to the data is https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.14073662. en_US
dc.description.abstract Populations of roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) in southern Africa have experienced a drastic decline over the past few decades and this situation has led to the development of intensive breeding programmes to support conservation efforts. However, little is known about related welfare aspects, including stress-related physiological biomarkers. The present study set out to establish a non-invasive method to monitor faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations as a measure of stress and determine fGCM concentrations in relation to male reproductive activity and female reproductive status in the roan antelope. An adrenocorticotrophic hormone challenge was performed using two adult roan antelope (one male and one female) at Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve, South Africa, to determine the suitability of five enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for monitoring adrenocortical function in roan antelope. An 11-oxoaetiocholanolone I EIA detecting 11,17 dioxoandrostanes performed best showing 17–20 folds increases in fGCM concentrations after 12 h-17 h post-injection. The identified EIA was then used to monitor fGCM concentrations during active and non-active reproductive periods in males (n = 3), and during periods of cyclicity, gestation, and postpartum in females (n = 10). Males showed an overall 80% increase in fGCM concentrations when reproductively active and females showed a progressively significant increase in fGCM levels throughout pregnancy, with overall fGCM concentrations being 1.5 to 2.6-fold higher than the respective fGCM concentrations during periods of postpartum and cyclicity, respectively. Furthermore, fGCM concentrations remained above baseline for up to 21 days post-partum. A correlation between ecological parameters (rainfall and temperature) and fGCM concentrations revealed elevated fGCM concentrations during the dry season for males, but not females. The non-invasive method validated in this study provides a valuable tool to quantify stress-related biomarkers in roan antelope, and findings can be used to support management decisions in conservation breeding facilities. en_US
dc.description.department Mammal Research Institute en_US
dc.description.department Zoology and Entomology en_US
dc.description.librarian hj2023 en_US
dc.description.sponsorship The National Research Foundation through the SARChI Chair for Mammal Behavioural Ecology and Physiology. en_US
dc.description.uri https://www.elsevier.com/locate/ygcen en_US
dc.identifier.citation Kamgang, V.W., Bennett, N.C., Van der Goot, A.C. et al. 2022, 'Patterns of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in captive roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) in relation to reproductive status and season', General and Comparative Endocrinology, vol. 325, art. 114052, pp. 1-8, doi : 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114052. en_US
dc.identifier.issn 0016-6480 (print)
dc.identifier.issn 1095-6840 (online)
dc.identifier.other 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114052
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/2263/93144
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Elsevier en_US
dc.rights © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in General and Comparative Endocrinology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in General and Comparative Endocrinology,vol. 325, art. 114052, pp. 1-8, doi : 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114052. en_US
dc.subject Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) en_US
dc.subject Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) en_US
dc.subject Season en_US
dc.subject Reproductive status en_US
dc.subject ACTH challenge en_US
dc.subject Conservation breeding en_US
dc.subject SDG-15: Life on land en_US
dc.title Patterns of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in captive roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) in relation to reproductive status and season en_US
dc.type Postprint Article en_US


Files in this item

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record