Animals

Editorial

3 pages, 164 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Introduction to the Special Issue: Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools

by Edward Narayan

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2280; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122280 - 03 Dec 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1526

Abstract

Wild animals under human care as well as domesticated farm production animals are often exposed to environmental changes (e [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

Research

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9 pages, 754 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identifying the Stressors Impacting Rescued Avian Wildlife

by Kimberley Janssen, Crystal Marsland, Michelle Orietta Barreto, Renae Charalambous and Edward Narayan

Animals 2020, 10(9), 1500; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091500 - 25 Aug 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3336

Abstract

Urbanisation exposes avian wildlife to an array of environmental stressors that result in clinical admission and hospitalisation. The aim of this pilot study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of clinical data and characterise this based on categories of stress experienced by avian [...] Read more.

Urbanisation exposes avian wildlife to an array of environmental stressors that result in clinical admission and hospitalisation. The aim of this pilot study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of clinical data and characterise this based on categories of stress experienced by avian wildlife patients. The results from this study indicated that impact injuries (n = 33, 25%) and vehicle-related injuries (n = 33, 25%) were the most common occurring preliminary stressors that resulted in the hospitalisation of avian wildlife. The most common outcome of avian patients that suffered from vehicle-related injuries was euthanasia (n = 15, 45%), as was avian patients that suffered from impact injuries (n = 16, 48%). Immobility (n = 105, 61%) and abnormal behaviour (n = 24, 14%) were the most commonly occurring primary stressors of avian patients. Finally, trauma (n = 51, 32%) and fractures (n = 44, 27%) were the most common occurring secondary stressors in avian patients. The most common outcome of all these stressors was euthanasia. This study provided further evidence towards the notion that human- and urbanisation-related stressors are the main causes of hospitalisation of avian wildlife, but also indicated that birds admitted as a result of human-related stressors are more likely to be euthanised than released. This study also provided a categorisation system for the stressors identified in avian wildlife patients (preliminary, primary and secondary) that may be used to monitor the stress categories of wildlife patients and gain a deeper understanding of the complex notion of stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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12 pages, 1179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ejaculate Collection Influences the Salivary Oxytocin Concentrations in Breeding Male Pigs

by Marina López-Arjona, Lorena Padilla, Jordi Roca, José Joaquín Cerón and Silvia Martínez-Subiela

Animals 2020, 10(8), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081268 - 25 Jul 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3075

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible changes of oxytocin concentrations in saliva during and after ejaculate collection in breeding boars usually used in artificial insemination programs. Saliva samples of 33 boars were collected the day before ejaculate collection [...] Read more.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible changes of oxytocin concentrations in saliva during and after ejaculate collection in breeding boars usually used in artificial insemination programs. Saliva samples of 33 boars were collected the day before ejaculate collection (DB), during the ejaculation time (T0) and two hours after ejaculate collection (T2). Free oxytocin and oxytocin linked to proteins concentrations were measured by two methods previously developed and validated for saliva of pigs. Younger boars, boars with higher libido intensity and boars of the Pietrain breed showed higher values of oxytocin in saliva during ejaculation than the day before. In addition, boars with higher libido showed higher concentrations two hours after ejaculate collection than during the day before. These changes were of higher magnitude and significance when oxytocin linked to proteins was measured. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time that ejaculation influences the salivary oxytocin concentrations in breeding boars, although this influence varies according to age, libido and breed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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15 pages, 1229 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Stress Response in North American Deermice: Laboratory and Field Validation of Two Enzyme Immunoassays for Fecal Corticosterone Metabolites

by Andreas Eleftheriou, Rupert Palme and Rudy Boonstra

Animals 2020, 10(7), 1120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071120 - 30 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2536

Abstract

Stress physiology is commonly employed in studies of wildlife ecology and conservation. Accordingly, we need robust and suitable methods to measure stress physiology in the field. Fecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) are now increasingly being used to non-invasively evaluate adrenocortical activity; a measure of [...] Read more.

Stress physiology is commonly employed in studies of wildlife ecology and conservation. Accordingly, we need robust and suitable methods to measure stress physiology in the field. Fecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) are now increasingly being used to non-invasively evaluate adrenocortical activity; a measure of stress physiology. However, immunoassays that measure FCMs must be appropriately validated prior to their use and factors that can influence FCMs, such as trap-induced stress, must be considered. Deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are widely used in scientific studies so that developing methods that appropriately measure their adrenocortical activity is critical. In the laboratory, we tested the suitability of two enzyme immunoassays (EIAs; a corticosterone EIA, and a group-specific 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one EIA) in deermice by challenging individuals with dexamethasone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We found that dexamethasone suppressed FCM levels within ~10 h post injection whereas ACTH increased FCM levels within ~2 h post injection. In the field, we found that FCM levels generally increased with more time in trap confinement when using both EIAs. Although we acknowledge low sample sizes (N = 4), our results validated the two EIAs for use with FCMs from deermice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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8 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blood L-Lactate Concentration as an Indicator of Outcome in Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) Admitted to a Wildlife Rescue Center

by Elena Di Lorenzo, Riccardo Rossi, Fabiana Ferrari, Valeria Martini and Stefano Comazzi

Animals 2020, 10(6), 1066; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10061066 - 20 Jun 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1985

Abstract

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are among the most frequent patients of rescue centers in Italy. Three outcomes are possible: natural death, euthanasia, or treatment and release. The aim of the present study is to propose blood L-lactate concentration as a possible [...] Read more.

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are among the most frequent patients of rescue centers in Italy. Three outcomes are possible: natural death, euthanasia, or treatment and release. The aim of the present study is to propose blood L-lactate concentration as a possible prognostic biomarker that may assist veterinarians in the decision-making process. Sixty-three roe deer, admitted to one rescue center in the period between July 2018 and July 2019, were sampled and divided into 4 groups according to their outcome: (1) spontaneous death (17 cases), (2) humanely euthanized (13 cases), (3) fully recovered and released (13 cases), and (4) euthanized being unsuitable for release (20 cases). In addition, blood samples from 14 hunted roe deer were analyzed as controls. Whole blood lactate concentrations were measured with a point of care lactate meter. Differences among groups were close to statistical significance (p = 0.51). A cut-off value of 10.2 mmol/L was identified: all the animals with higher values died or were humanely euthanized. The results suggest that roe deer with lactatemia higher than 10.2 mmol/L at admission, have a reduced prognosis for survival during the rehabilitation period, regardless of the reason for hospitalization and the injuries reported. Therefore, humane euthanasia should be considered for these animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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19 pages, 1672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Martina Volfova, Zuzana Machovcova, Eva Voslarova, Iveta Bedanova and Vladimir Vecerek

Animals 2020, 10(6), 1013; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10061013 - 10 Jun 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2131

Abstract

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 [...] Read more.

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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14 pages, 724 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Physiological Stress Reactions in Red Deer Induced by Hunting Activities

by Sofia Vilela, António Alves da Silva, Rupert Palme, Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl, José Paulo Sousa and Joana Alves

Animals 2020, 10(6), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10061003 - 08 Jun 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5193

Abstract

Hunting activity is usually seen as a factor capable of causing an intense stress response in wildlife that may lead to short but also long-term stress. In the Lousã Mountain, Portugal, the population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) is the target [...] Read more.

Hunting activity is usually seen as a factor capable of causing an intense stress response in wildlife that may lead to short but also long-term stress. In the Lousã Mountain, Portugal, the population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) is the target of intensive seasonal hunting. We collected and measured cortisol (and its metabolites) in three tissues types (blood, feces and hair) from red deer hunted during two hunting seasons to evaluate the stress levels at different time windows. We also assessed the immunological and physical condition of the animals. We predicted that the hunting activity would act as a stressor inducing increased short and long-term stress levels in the population. Results showed an increase in hair cortisol levels during the months of harvesting. Surprisingly, the tendency for plasma cortisol levels was to decrease during the hunting season, which could be interpreted as habituation to hunting activity, or due to the hunting duration. Contrary to our predictions, fecal cortisol metabolites did not show any clear patterns across the months. Overall, our results suggest an influence of hunting activities on the physiological stress in red deer. In addition, hair seems to be useful to measure physiological stress, although more studies are required to fully understand its suitability as an indicator of long-term stress. Methodologically, our approach highlights the importance of simultaneously using different methods to assess short and long-term effects in studies on physiological stress reactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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9 pages, 410 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serum Protein Gel Agarose Electrophoresis in Captive Tigers

by Daniela Proverbio, Roberta Perego, Luciana Baggiani, Giuliano Ravasio, Daniela Giambellini and Eva Spada

Animals 2020, 10(4), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040716 - 20 Apr 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3879

Abstract

Given the endangered status of tigers (Panthera tigris), the health of each individual is important and any data on blood chemistry values can provide valuable information alongside the assessment of physical condition. The nature of tigers in the wild makes it [...] Read more.

Given the endangered status of tigers (Panthera tigris), the health of each individual is important and any data on blood chemistry values can provide valuable information alongside the assessment of physical condition. The nature of tigers in the wild makes it is extremely difficult to obtain biological samples from free-living subjects, therefore the values obtained from captive tigers provide very useful data. Serum protein electrophoresis is a useful tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of a number of diseases. In this study, we evaluated agarose gel serum protein electrophoresis on samples from 11 healthy captive tigers. Serum electrophoresis on all 11 tiger samples successfully separated proteins into albumin, α₁, α₂, β₁, β₂ and γ globulin fractions as in other mammals. Electrophoretic patterns were comparable in all tigers. Mean± standard deviation or median and range values obtained for each protein fraction in healthy tigers were, respectively: 3.6 ± 0.2, 0.21 (0.2–0.23), 1.2 ± 0.2, 10.7 ± 0.2, 0.4 (0.3–0.6), 1.2 (1–1.8) gr/dL. The results of this preliminary study provide the first data on serum electrophoretic patterns in tigers and may be a useful diagnostic tool in the health assessment of this endangered species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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13 pages, 1760 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Circadian Rhythm of Salivary Immunoglobulin A and Associations with Cortisol as A Stress Biomarker in Captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus)

by Tithipong Plangsangmas, Janine L. Brown, Chatchote Thitaram, Ayona Silva-Fletcher, Katie L. Edwards, Veerasak Punyapornwithaya, Patcharapa Towiboon and Chaleamchat Somgird

Animals 2020, 10(1), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010157 - 17 Jan 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4967

Abstract

Salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) has been proposed as a potential indicator of welfare for various species, including Asian elephants, and may be related to adrenal cortisol responses. This study aimed to distinguish circadian rhythm effects on sIgA in male and female Asian elephants [...] Read more.

Salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) has been proposed as a potential indicator of welfare for various species, including Asian elephants, and may be related to adrenal cortisol responses. This study aimed to distinguish circadian rhythm effects on sIgA in male and female Asian elephants and compare patterns to those of salivary cortisol, information that could potentially have welfare implications. Subjects were captive elephants at an elephant camp in Chiang Mai province, Thailand (n = 5 males, 5 females). Salivette^® kits were used to collect saliva from each elephant every 4 h from 06:00 to 22:00 h for 3 consecutive days (n = 15 samples/elephant). Enzyme immunoassays were used to quantify concentrations of IgA and cortisol in unextracted saliva. Circadian rhythm patterns were determined using a generalized least-squares method. Both sIgA and cortisol followed a circadian rhythm, although the patterns differed. sIgA displayed a daily quartic trend, whereas cortisol concentrations demonstrated a decreasing linear trend in concentrations throughout the day. There was no clear relationship between patterns of sIgA and salivary cortisol, implying that mechanisms of control and secretion differ. Results demonstrate for the first time that circadian rhythms affect sIgA, and concentrations follow a daily quartic pattern in Asian elephants, so standardizing time of collection is necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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8 pages, 233 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Progesterone and Cortisol Levels in Blood and Hair of Wild Pregnant Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) Hinds

by Domenico Ventrella, Alberto Elmi, Martina Bertocchi, Camilla Aniballi, Albamaria Parmeggiani, Nadia Govoni and Maria Laura Bacci

Animals 2020, 10(1), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010143 - 16 Jan 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3520

Abstract

The red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) is one of the largest deer species in the world. Females are seasonal polyestrous, with negative photoperiod: the increase of the night peak of melatonin determines the secretion of GnRH and, therefore, LH and FSH. [...] Read more.

The red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) is one of the largest deer species in the world. Females are seasonal polyestrous, with negative photoperiod: the increase of the night peak of melatonin determines the secretion of GnRH and, therefore, LH and FSH. To date there is little information regarding the hormonal control during pregnancy for this species; this could be due to the difficulty of sampling wild subjects, while farmed animals’ hormonal concentrations may not reflect the physiology of the animal in a natural state. In this study we evaluated the concentration of cortisol and progesterone, extracted from blood and hair, on 10 wild and pregnant red deer females. Belonging to the population of the Bolognese Apennines (Italy), the hinds were sampled in the January–March 2018 period, according to the regional selective hunting plan. Plasma progesterone (P4) ranged from a minimum of 1.9 to a maximum of 7.48 ng/mL; while hair P4 concentrations varied from 41.68 to 153.57 pg/mg. The plasma and hair cortisol ranges are respectively 0.4–2.97 ng/mL and 0.03–0.55 pg/mg; the only significant correlation was found between hair concentration of P4 and the date of death. The results of this preliminary study represent a small step towards a better knowledge of this species’ physiology during pregnancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

15 pages, 529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Implementation of Baseline Welfare Assessment Protocol for Captive Breeding of Wild Ungulate—Punjab Urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis, Lydekker 1913)

by Romaan Hayat Khattak, Zhensheng Liu and Liwei Teng

Animals 2019, 9(12), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9121102 - 09 Dec 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3699

Abstract

To ensure that captive breeding and other associated programs are more robust and sustainable, it is of utmost importance to ensure optimum welfare. Although it is well known that standard welfare is crucial for successful captive breeding, there is still a lack of [...] Read more.

To ensure that captive breeding and other associated programs are more robust and sustainable, it is of utmost importance to ensure optimum welfare. Although it is well known that standard welfare is crucial for successful captive breeding, there is still a lack of welfare assessment protocols for wild species. The current study aimed to develop a leading baseline welfare assessment protocol for assessing welfare in captive Punjab urial. This protocol is based on the welfare protocol for domestic sheep from the Welfare Quality^® project, coupled with all the information obtained from the published literature on the species’ biology and ecology. This protocol consists of 4 principles, 12 criteria, and 31 animal- and resource-based indicators. The protocol was tested and applied to three different herds of Punjab urial at two different facilities. Initial results showed that some areas need to be improved for better captive breeding and management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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6 pages, 636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Thermal Imaging to Monitor Body Temperature of Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in A Zoo Setting

by Edward Narayan, Annabella Perakis and Will Meikle

Animals 2019, 9(12), 1094; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9121094 - 06 Dec 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6638

Abstract

Non-invasive techniques can be applied for monitoring the physiology and behaviour of wildlife in Zoos to improve management and welfare. Thermal imaging technology has been used as a non-invasive technique to measure the body temperature of various domesticated and wildlife species. In this [...] Read more.

Non-invasive techniques can be applied for monitoring the physiology and behaviour of wildlife in Zoos to improve management and welfare. Thermal imaging technology has been used as a non-invasive technique to measure the body temperature of various domesticated and wildlife species. In this study, we evaluated the application of thermal imaging to measure the body temperature of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a Zoo environment. The aim of the study was to determine the body feature most suitable for recording a koala’s body temperature (using coefficient of variation scores). We used a FLIR530^TM IR thermal imaging camera to take images of each individual koala across three days in autumn 2018 at the Wildlife Sydney Zoo, Australia. Our results demonstrated that koalas had more than one reliable body feature for recording body temperature using the thermal imaging tool—the most reliable features were eyes and abdomen. This study provides first reported application of thermal imaging on an Australian native species in a Zoo and demonstrates its potential applicability as a humane/non-invasive technique for assessing the body temperature as an index of stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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13 pages, 669 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Parasite Load and Site-Specific Parasite Pressure as Determinants of Immune Indices in Two Sympatric Rodent Species

by Tim R. Hofmeester, Esther J. Bügel, Bob Hendrikx, Miriam Maas, Frits F. J. Franssen, Hein Sprong and Kevin D. Matson

Animals 2019, 9(12), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9121015 - 22 Nov 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6939

Abstract

Wildlife is exposed to parasites from the environment. This parasite pressure, which differs among areas, likely shapes the immunological strategies of animals. Individuals differ in the number of parasites they encounter and host, and this parasite load also influences the immune system. The [...] Read more.

Wildlife is exposed to parasites from the environment. This parasite pressure, which differs among areas, likely shapes the immunological strategies of animals. Individuals differ in the number of parasites they encounter and host, and this parasite load also influences the immune system. The relative impact of parasite pressure vs. parasite load on different host species, particularly those implicated as important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, is poorly understood. We captured bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) at four sites in the Netherlands. We sampled sub-adult males to quantify their immune function, infestation load for ecto- and gastrointestinal parasites, and infection status for vector-borne microparasites. We then used regression trees to test if variation in immune indices could be explained by among-site differences (parasite pressure), among-individual differences in infestation intensity and infection status (parasite load), or other intrinsic factors. Regression trees revealed splits among sites for haptoglobin, hemagglutination, and body-mass corrected spleen size. We also found splits based on infection/infestation for haptoglobin, hemolysis, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Furthermore, we found a split between species for hemolysis and splits based on body mass for haptoglobin, hemagglutination, hematocrit, and body-mass corrected spleen size. Our results suggest that both parasite pressure and parasite load influence the immune system of wild rodents. Additional studies linking disease ecology and ecological immunology are needed to understand better the complexities of host–parasite interactions and how these interactions shape zoonotic disease risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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13 pages, 1092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites to Assess Adrenocortical Activity in Reindeer

by Şeyda Özkan Gülzari, Grete Helen Meisfjord Jørgensen, Svein Morten Eilertsen, Inger Hansen, Snorre Bekkevold Hagen, Ida Fløystad and Rupert Palme

Animals 2019, 9(11), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110987 - 18 Nov 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3915

Abstract

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 [...] Read more.

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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14 pages, 848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Non-Invasive Methods in Measuring Fish Welfare: The Measurement of Cortisol Concentrations in Fish Skin Mucus as a Biomarker of Habitat Quality

by Annaïs Carbajal, Patricia Soler, Oriol Tallo-Parra, Marina Isasa, Carlos Echevarria, Manel Lopez-Bejar and Dolors Vinyoles

Animals 2019, 9(11), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110939 - 08 Nov 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4043

Abstract

Cortisol levels in fish skin mucus have shown to be good stress indicators in farm fish exposed to different stressors. Its applicability in free-ranging animals subject to long-term environmental stressors though remains to be explored. The present study was therefore designed to examine [...] Read more.

Cortisol levels in fish skin mucus have shown to be good stress indicators in farm fish exposed to different stressors. Its applicability in free-ranging animals subject to long-term environmental stressors though remains to be explored. The present study was therefore designed to examine whether skin mucus cortisol levels from a wild freshwater fish (Catalan chub, Squalius laietanus) are affected by the habitat quality. Several well-established hematological parameters and cortisol concentrations were measured in blood and compared to variations in skin mucus cortisol values across three habitats with different pollution gradient. Fluctuations of cortisol in skin mucus varied across the streams of differing habitat quality, following a similar pattern of response to that detected by the assessment of cortisol levels in blood and the hematological parameters. Furthermore, there was a close relationship between cortisol concentrations in skin mucus and several of the erythrocytic alterations and the relative proportion of neutrophils to lymphocytes. Taken together, results of this study provide the first evidence that skin mucus cortisol levels could be influenced by habitat quality. Although results should be interpreted with caution, because a small sample size was collected in one studied habitat, the measurement of cortisol in skin mucus could be potentially used as a biomarker in freshwater fish. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing the Environmental Adaptation of Wildlife and Production Animals: Applications of Physiological Indices and Welfare Assessment Tools)

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