scholarly journals Comparison of the Glucocorticoid Concentrations between Three Species of Lemuridae Kept in a Temporary Housing Facility

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1013
Author(s):  
Martina Volfova ◽  
Zuzana Machovcova ◽  
Eva Voslarova ◽  
Iveta Bedanova ◽  
Vladimir Vecerek
Keyword(s):  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Temporary Housing ◽  
Standard Operation ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Brown Lemurs ◽  
Lemur Species ◽  
Housing Facility

We compared the glucocorticoid concentrations in response to various types of potential stressors present during standard operation of a temporary housing facility between three species, namely, ring-tailed lemurs, collared brown lemurs and white-headed lemurs. The levels of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) were measured non-invasively on a daily basis during a 30-day period. A total of 510 faecal samples were collected. Concentrations of immunoreactive glucocorticoid hormone metabolites were measured in the obtained extracts by using an enzyme immunoassay. The polyclonal antibodies used in this assay were directed against the metabolite 11-oxo-etiocholanolone I. We found all three monitored lemur species to respond to specific potentially stressful situations by increasing (p < 0.05) the FGM levels within one to two days after the event. Although housed in the same room, differences in response to potentially stressful situations were found in white-headed lemurs compared to ring-tailed lemurs. Increased mean levels of the FGMs were found more frequently in white-headed lemurs than in ring-tailed lemurs. The results suggest that this species may be more sensitive to changes in its surroundings. In general, the levels of the FGMs showed a similar pattern during 30 days of monitoring suggesting that all groups of lemurs responded in a similar manner to the same events. However, we recorded the differences in the absolute values of glucocorticoid concentrations between the monitored species likely due to the differences in sex ratios in the groups and presence of lactating females in the ring-tailed lemurs.

A study on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) emphasising breeding season and feeding behaviour in captivity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junaid Naseer ◽  
Khalid Mahmood Anjum ◽  
Muhammad Asif Munir ◽  
Muhammad Awais Nazir ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Yousaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Pavo Cristatus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Dietary Components ◽  
Sand And Gravel

Present research was planned to evaluate the breeding and feeding behaviour of Indian peafowl reared in captivity at Zoological Gardens of Government and Private Sector. For feeding behaviour, a total of fifty pairs (n=100) of Pavo cristatus at both Government Zoological Gardens (n=25pairs) and Private Sectors (n=25pairs) were observed on daily basis. The breeding season of Indian peafowl is not fixed but mostly it breeds in rainy season from April to August. It was observed that most of birds at Government Zoological Gardens breed in month of May, while most of birds at Private Sectors breed in the month of August. For feeding behaviour a total of 200 faecal samples per week were collected for six weeks, out of which 100 samples per week were randomly selected for further analysis. Faecal analysis technique showed that dietary components of Indian peafowl were covered by plant contents following by animal sources. Among the plants components grass seeds were predominant followed by dicotyledon and fruits with least portion of monocotyledons. Among animal components, ants, grasshopper, earthworms, spider and unidentified bones were present. Faecal analysis indicated the presence of some non-food items such as sand and gravel.

Variation in Body Condition and Diet of The Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) During the Breeding Season.

1996 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
A.B. Reimer ◽  
M.A. Hindell
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Change ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Isotope Dilution ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Prey Items

Body condition and diet of eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) in southern Tasmania were quantified to investigate lactational strategies of a marsupial with medium-duration lactation and high reproductive output. There was no significant seasonal change in body condition, assessed using isotope dilution, or weight for either females or males. Further, body condition and weight of lactating females did not change with age of the pouch young, suggesting that female P. gunnii are able to cope with the energy demands of lactation without storing and utilising stored body fat. Analysis of faecal samples from April to October 1992 revealed a change of the frequency of occurrence of some prey items.

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Live Microbial Cultures on Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Safari Asian Elephants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chharang ◽  
S. Choudhary ◽  
V. Kumar ◽  
S. Sharma ◽  
P. C. Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Microbial Cultures ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Conservation Of Endangered Species

Background: Wildlife tourism has been shown to increase stress in a variety of species and can negatively affect the survival, reproduction, welfare, and behaviour of individuals. The use of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites has favoured the development of non-invasive methods to study physiological conditions and could aid in successful and effective strategies for the management and conservation of endangered species. Methods: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of live microbial cultures to find patterns of physiological stress hormone in faeces of 18 safari Asian elephants of 30-62 years age and body weight (3495 ± 133.34 Kg) for two months. They were randomly divided into three groups, with six elephants in each, i.e. control with no probiotic (T1) and the other two with probiotics, which contained 1 × 109 CFU/g concentrate of Lactobacillus acidophilus (T2) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (T3) @ every 50 kg body weight per day. Faecal samples were taken on 0, 30th, 40th and 50th day of the experiment. Result: It was observed that the mean faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, demonstrated by the elephants of T2, and T3 groups were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from the control group (T1) and remained unaffected on the supplementation of live microbial cultures.

scholarly journals Measuring Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites to Assess Adrenocortical Activity in Reindeer

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 987
Author(s):  
Şeyda Özkan Gülzari ◽  
Grete Helen Meisfjord Jørgensen ◽  
Svein Morten Eilertsen ◽  
Inger Hansen ◽  
Snorre Bekkevold Hagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Stress Hormones ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
Animal Conservation ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Species Specific

Several non-invasive methods for assessing stress responses have been developed and validated for many animal species. Due to species-specific differences in metabolism and excretion of stress hormones, methods should be validated for each species. The aim of this study was to conduct a physiological validation of an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for measuring faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) in male reindeer by administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH; intramuscular, 0.25 mg per animal). A total of 317 samples were collected from eight male reindeer over a 44 h period at Tverrvatnet in Norway in mid-winter. In addition, 114 samples were collected from a group of reindeer during normal handling and calf marking at Stjernevatn in Norway. Following ACTH injection, FCM levels (median and range) were 568 (268–2415) ng/g after two hours, 2718 (414–8550) ng/g after seven hours and 918 (500–6931) ng/g after 24 h. Levels were significantly higher from seven hours onwards compared to earlier hours (p < 0.001). The FCM levels at Stjernevatn were significantly (p < 0.001) different before (samples collected zero to two hours; median: 479 ng/g) and after calf marking (eight to ten hours; median: 1469 ng/g). Identification of the faecal samples belonging to individual animals was conducted using DNA analysis across time. This study reports a successful validation of a non-invasive technique for measuring stress in reindeer, which can be applied in future studies in the fields of biology, ethology, ecology, animal conservation and welfare.

scholarly journals A Study on a Plan for an Assembly-Type Temporary Housing Facility Usable in Times of Disaster

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1430-1430
Author(s):  
Kim Min-Seok ◽  
Ju Jae-Seong ◽  
Yeom Tae-Jun ◽  
Park Mi-Jin
Keyword(s):  
Temporary Housing ◽  
Housing Facility

The measurement of glucocorticoid concentrations in the serum and faeces of captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana) after ACTH stimulation : research communication

2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
S.K. Stead ◽  
D.G.A. Meltzer ◽  
R. Palme
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Serum Cortisol ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
African Elephants ◽  
Acth Stimulation ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Cortisol Metabolites

Conventionally, the assessment of adrenal responses to stress relies on blood sample collection. However, blood collection from animals is impossible without restraint or immobilisation that influences results. This study was undertaken to validate recently established enzyme immunoassays that measure faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in elephants, and to perform a preliminary investigation into the biological relevance of this non-invasive method for use in assessing the degree of stress in this species. Four juvenile African elephants were injected i.m. with 2.15 mg synthetic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (Synacthén, Novartis, Switzerland). Blood and faecal samples were collected over 4 h and 7 d respectively. Concentrations of serum cortisol and faecal cortisol metabolites were determined using immunoassay. Variability of basal and peak values in blood and faeces was observed among the elephants. After ACTH injection, serum cortisol concentrations increased by 400-700 %. An 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) proved best suited to measure cortisol metabolites (11,17-dioxoandrostanes) when compared to a cortisol and corticosterone EIA in faecal samples. Concentrations of faecal 11,17-dioxoandrostanes increased by 570-1070 %, reaching peak levels after 20.0-25.5 h. Greater levels of glucocorticoid metabolites were measured in faecal samples from elephants kept in small enclosures compared to levels in the faeces of animals ranging over a larger area. The results of this preliminary study suggest that non-invasive faecal monitoring of glucocorticoid metabolites is useful in investigating adrenal activity in African elephants.

scholarly journals A tuberculosis outbreak at an insecure, temporary housing facility, manga café, Tokyo, Japan, 2016–2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Endo ◽  
M. Ota ◽  
A. Kayebeta ◽  
I. Takahashi ◽  
Y. Nagata
Keyword(s):  
Index Patient ◽  
Sputum Smear ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Temporary Housing ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Latent Tb Infection ◽  
Identical Type ◽  
Housing Facility

Abstract In November 2016, a woman in her 30s who stayed at an insecure, temporary housing facility, a manga café in Tokyo, Japan, for a year was diagnosed with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis (TB). Since the café had 31 staff members and provided with accommodation to many people, the local health office initiated a contact investigation. This study aims to characterise the cases found in the outbreak. A TB case was defined as a person tested bacteriologically positive for TB, or was determined to have TB by a physician. A latent TB infection case was defined as a person tested positive by interferon-γ release assay. From January 2016 through November 2017, there were 31 staff members at the manga café, of which, six developed TB disease (one smear-negative, culture-positive and five smear- and culture-negative) in addition to seven LTBI. Another long-term customer was found having sputum smear-positive TB. Variable numbers tandem repeat (VNTR) test revealed that the index patient and the long-term customer had the identical type of VNTR; however, one staff member had a different VNTR. Local health authorities should intensify screening long-term customers of such facilities for TB regularly as well as once a TB outbreak occurs.

scholarly journals Concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in South African Mutton Merino sheep fed various sources of roughage

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-506
Author(s):  
H.A. O’Neill ◽  
O.B. Einkamerer ◽  
B.T. Elago ◽  
A. Ganswindt
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
South African ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Eragrostis Tef ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Baseline Values ◽  
The Mean ◽  
One Way Anova

The objective of this study was to determine whether various sources of roughage in nutritionally balanced feedlot diets would evoke a stress response in sheep. A nutritional stress response test was performed on 20 ewes, randomly divided into four treatment groups with 5 ewes per group. Ewes were kept individually in metabolic crates for thirty days. Rations were balanced nutritionally, and various sources of roughage were included; T1: alfalfa hay, T2: maize stover, T3: soya hulls; and T4: Eragrostis tef. Faeces was removed manually from the caudal rectum of each ewe at 05h00 and 19h00. Samples were frozen at -20°C until analyses. A total of 520 faecal samples were analysed to determine the concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM) by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). These concentrations were expressed as mass/g dry weight (ng/g DW). Baseline values were determined, and those greater than the mean plus 2 standard deviations were removed. Baseline values were compared between the groups with one-way ANOVA analysis. The average concentrations of fGCM were 178.77 ± 21.7 in the morning and 183.2 ± 14.4 in the evening. Sheep fed T4 had significantly higher fGCM concentrations in both morning (302.0 ± 86.1 ng/g DW) and evening (237.0 ± 48.1 ng/g DW) compared with the other treatment groups. Thus, fGCM concentrations in sheep were related to the source of roughage, and Eragrostis tef caused a stress response. Keywords: animal welfare, cortisol, dietary fibre, selective grazer, stress response

scholarly journals Development of immunochromatographic lateral flow test for rapid detection of Clostridium perfringens α, β and ε toxins in clinical samples

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-507
Author(s):  
R Soliman ◽  
M. M. Magdy ◽  
A. Samir ◽  
Y. A. Abdalla ◽  
R. H. Sayed
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Rapid Detection ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Immunochromatographic Test ◽  
Flow Test ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Lateral Flow Test ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

In the present work a lateral flow immunochromatographic test (LFT) for rapid detection of Clostri­dium perfringens toxins types, alpha (α), beta (β) and epsilon (ε) in clinical samples was developed. C. perfringens toxins were prepared, purified and inactivated with 0.2% formalin. Polyclonal antibodies specific to C. perfringens toxins types α, β and ε toxoids were prepared in rabbits and guinea pigs. The toxoid specific polyclonal antibodies prepared in rabbits were labelled with gold chloride nanoparticles. The prepared toxin specific rabbit and guinea pigs antibodies and goat anti-rabbit antibodies were utilised in development of a lateral flow immunochromatographic test and the latter - evaluated for detection of C. perfringens α, β and ε toxins in clinical samples. The sensitivity and specificity and accuracy of the developed LFT were determined by comparison with a commercially available ELISA used for detection of these toxins. The prepared LFT was capable to detect C. perfringens α, β and ε toxins in quantities of 2 μg/ml, 250 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml, respectively. One hundred poultry suspected faecal samples was examined both with the prepared LFT and commercial ELISA to test the validity of developed LFT. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the LFT for detection of C. perfringens toxins were 81%, 95.2% and 90%, respectively, for α toxin, 76.6%, 98.5% and 72%, respectively, for β toxin and 66.6%, 98.8% and 95%, respectively, for ε toxin.

scholarly journals Influence of cereal harvest on adrenocortical activity in European hares (Lepus europaeus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Cybulska ◽  
Klaus Hackländer ◽  
Rupert Palme ◽  
Alfred Frey-Roos ◽  
Stéphanie C. Schai-Braun
Keyword(s):  
Field Size ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
Vegetation Density ◽  
Additional Food ◽  
Arable Crops ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Habitat Alterations ◽  
Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Opening Up

AbstractAnthropogenic disturbances, such as habitat modifications and machines, are associated with increased levels of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) in mammals, an indicator of a stress response. One human-caused process provoking incisive habitat alterations is harvesting arable crops. We investigated the effect of cereal harvest on fGCM concentrations in European hares (Lepus europaeus) in arable landscapes in lower Austria during the year 2018 by collecting 591 faecal samples before, during and after cereal harvest. fGCMs were analysed using an enzyme immunoassay, and data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models. We found that neither cereal harvest nor farming practice (organic vs. conventional) caused an overall increase in the hares’ stress level. Lower vegetation density and higher proportions of bare ground were negatively correlated with fGCM concentrations, whereas the proportion of stubble fields was significantly positively correlated with fGCM concentrations in European hares. A change to more open landscapes might decrease time spent avoiding predation, and fallen grains may provide a beneficial additional food source for the hares. This indicates that European hares are well adapted to an opening up of the landscape and short-term disturbances such as cereal harvesting. In conclusion, cereal harvest had no large impact on European hares’ adrenocortical activity in an arable landscape with small average field size and enough available non-farmed areas.

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