Measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations as an indicator of stress in blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)
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Date
Authors
Wolf, Tanja Esther
De Haast, Adel R.
Meyer, Leith Carl Rodney
Gerber, David
Ganswindt, Andre
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Wildlife Management Association
Abstract
In South Africa, blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) are routinely captured for
relocation purposes. To monitor the stress caused by this practise, a non-invasive method
assessing adrenocortical function as a measure of stress would minimize disturbance
during sample collection. In our study, an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge, and a
mass-capture event were used to examine the suitability of five enzyme immunoassays
(EIAs) for monitoring stress-related physiological responses using faeces as a sample
matrix. The tested 11-oxoaetiocholanolone I EIA performed best, showing a 2126% increase
above baseline after 22 h for a male, and a 474% increase for a female 23 h post-ACTH
injection. Baseline faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations did not differ
between animals captured on either day 1 or day 2 of the capture event, indicating that the
frequent presence of a helicopter during the two days did not influence fGCM concentrations.
However, during capture-related restraint for up to 10 h, an overall 1.5-fold elevation in
(fGCM) concentrations was found.Storage of faeces at ambient temperature post-defecation
indicated a fair stability of fGCMs for up to 8 h. The ability to reliably assess adrenocortical
function provides a solid basis to examine endocrine responses to putative stressful circumstances
in blue wildebeest.
Description
Keywords
Capture, Faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, ACTH challenge test, fGCM stability post-defecation, Blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), Enzyme immunoassay (EIA), Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM), Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
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Citation
Wolf, T.E., De Haast, A.R., Meyer, L. et al. 2021, 'Measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations as an indicator of stress in blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)', African Journal of Wildlife Research, vol. 51, pp. 90-99.