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Abstract
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Article Information:
Using ACTH Challenges to Validate Techniques for Adrenocortical Activity Analysis in Various African Wildlife Species
Rachel M. Santymire, Elizabeth W. Freeman, Elizabeth V. Lonsdorf, Matthew R. Heintz and Diana M. Armstrong
Corresponding Author: Rachel M. Santymire
Submitted: January 08, 2012
Accepted: January 29, 2012
Published: April 20, 2012 |
Abstract:
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Monitoring adrenocortical activity using fecal hormonal analysis can provide information on how
environmental changes are affecting non-domestic species health and success in the field; however, this noninvasive
method needs proper validation to ensure that analysis reflects true physiological events. Our
objectives were to use adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenges as a physiological validation method
to test the suitability of a new corticosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to accurately assess the adrenocortical
activity using fecal samples in four African wildlife species-the black rhinoceros (rhino; Diceros bicornis),
African elephant (Loxodonta africana), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and African lion (Panthera leo krugeri).
In the rhino and elephant, fecal Glucocorticoid metabolites (GC) surged 75 and 51 h post-ACTH injection,
respectively. In the chimpanzee, fecal GC metabolites peaked at 29 h post-injection. And the lion had a peak
of fecal GC at 24 h post-ACTH. This study determined that adrenocortical activity was reflected in
concentrations of fecal GC metabolites suggesting that this corticosterone EIA is an effective technique for the
monitoring stress in four African species.
Key words: ACTH challenge, adrenocortical activity, African wildlife, corticosterone, enzyme immunoassay, fecal glucocorticoid metabolites,
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Cite this Reference:
Rachel M. Santymire, Elizabeth W. Freeman, Elizabeth V. Lonsdorf, Matthew R. Heintz and Diana M. Armstrong, . Using ACTH Challenges to Validate Techniques for Adrenocortical Activity Analysis in Various African Wildlife Species. International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, (2): 99-108.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-2908
ISSN (Print): 2041-2894 |
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