Determining adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) based on faecal analysis
dc.contributor.author | Ganswindt, Andre | |
dc.contributor.author | Tordiffe, Adrian Stephen Wolferstan | |
dc.contributor.author | Stam, E. | |
dc.contributor.author | Howitt, M.J. | |
dc.contributor.author | Jori, Ferran J. | |
dc.contributor.email | aganswindt@zoology.up.ac.za | en |
dc.date.accessioned | 2013-03-12T08:29:55Z | |
dc.date.available | 2013-08-22T00:20:04Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2012-08-22 | |
dc.description.abstract | Little is known about the levels of stress experienced by African buffalos affected by injury, disease, or socio-ecological and anthropogenic factors. To be able to start filling this gap, we examined the suitability of two 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme-immunoassays (EIAs) detecting 11,17 dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA) as well as faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) with a 5β-3α-ol-11-one structure (3α,11oxo-CM), respectively, for monitoring stress-related physiological responses in African buffalo. An adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) challenge in one male and one female housed at Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre, South Africa, showed a threefold increase in circulating cortisol levels in a sample taken 40 min post-injection. Corresponding 11,17-DOA levels increased tenfold (female) and 15-fold (male) above baseline, and 3α,11oxo-CM concentrations increased ninefold (female) and 12-fold (male) above pre-injection levels, indicating that both EIAs are suitable for measuring FGMs in African buffalo.In addition, 11,17-DOA levels monitored during the adaptation process of individual housing revealed an up to 14-fold elevation in FGMs. Storage of faeces at ambient temperature for up to 16 h post-defecation resulted in an significant increase in 11,17-DOA levels 2 h after defecation. Finally, higher individual baseline 11,17-DOA concentrations were found in samples defecated overnight, indicating a possible diurnal effect in excretion of FGMs in African buffalo. | en |
dc.description.librarian | am2013 | en |
dc.description.librarian | ab2013 | |
dc.description.uri | http://africanzoology.journals.ac.za/ | en |
dc.identifier.citation | Ganswindt, A, Tordiffe, ASW, Stam, E, Howitt, MJ & Jori, F 2012, 'Determining adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) based on faecal analysis', African Zoology, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 261-269. | en |
dc.identifier.issn | 1562-7020 (print) | |
dc.identifier.issn | 2224-073X (online) | |
dc.identifier.other | 6507085906 | |
dc.identifier.other | G-9856-2014 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/21168 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en |
dc.publisher | Zoological Society of Southern Africa | en |
dc.rights | SU LIS. | en |
dc.subject | Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) | en |
dc.subject | ACTH challenge test | en |
dc.subject | Animal separation | en |
dc.subject | Hormone degradation rate | en |
dc.subject | Circadian variation | en |
dc.subject.lcsh | African buffalo -- Effect of stress on | en |
dc.subject.lcsh | Feces | en |
dc.subject.lcsh | Adrenocortical hormones | en |
dc.title | Determining adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) based on faecal analysis | en |
dc.type | Article | en |