Validating the use of dermal secretion as amatrix for monitoring glucocorticoid concentrations in African amphibian species

dc.contributor.authorScheun, Juan
dc.contributor.authorGreeff, Dominique
dc.contributor.authorMerger, Katarina
dc.contributor.authorGanswindt, Andre
dc.date.accessioned2020-07-28T05:17:33Z
dc.date.available2020-07-28T05:17:33Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractThe complex interaction between factors leading to amphibian declines is responsible for the inability to develop robust, standardized conservation action plans. Monitoring physiological stress responses in amphibians may provide an ideal tool to assist conservationists in this regard. This study aimed to validate dermal secretions as a robust matrix for monitoring glucocorticoid alterations in an African amphibian, the edible bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis). Both a biological (handling) and physiological (ACTH challenge) validation were conducted to determine which of five available enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) tested is most suited for monitoring alterations in dermal glucocorticoid (dGC) concentrations. Additionally, the most optimal body region for monitoring dGC concentrations in P. edulis was identified. To confirm the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal (HPI) axis following ACTH administration, urinary glucocorticoid metabolites (uGCM) were also quantified. The tested corticosterone EIA was the only assay able to monitor alterations in dGC concentrations following the handling event in P. edulis. Further validation during the ACTH challenge supported the corticosterone EIA in this regard. Dermal secretions collected from both the ventral and dorsal regions were suitable for monitoring dGC concentrations in both sexes. A considerable increase in uGCM concentrations following ACTH administration was found, suggesting that the dGC concentrations observed were derived from the HPI axis. This study offers further support for the use of dermal secretions as an important matrix for monitoring physiological stress, and thus general health, in amphibian species.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentMammal Research Instituteen_ZA
dc.description.departmentZoology and Entomologyen_ZA
dc.description.librarianam2020en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work was supported by the Rufford Small Grant Foundation (grant number: 21464-1).en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Rufford Small Grant Foundationen_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://academic.oup.com/conphysen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationScheun J., Greeff D., Medger K., Ganswindt A. (2019) Validating the use of dermal secretion as a matrix for monitoring glucocorticoid concentrations in African amphibian species. Conservation Physiology 7(1): coz022; DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz022.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn2051-1434 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1093/conphys/coz022
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/75453
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherOxford University Pressen_ZA
dc.rights© The Author(s) 2019. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence.en_ZA
dc.subjectACTH challengeen_ZA
dc.subjectAmphibiansen_ZA
dc.subjectDermalen_ZA
dc.subjectGlucocorticoidsen_ZA
dc.subjectPhysiologicalen_ZA
dc.subjectUrinaryen_ZA
dc.subjectEdible bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis)en_ZA
dc.titleValidating the use of dermal secretion as amatrix for monitoring glucocorticoid concentrations in African amphibian speciesen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA

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