Excreted Metabolites of Gonadal Steroid Hormones and Corticosterone in Greylag Geese (Anser anser) from Hatching to Fledging

Frigerio, Didone; Moestl, E.; Kotrschal, Kurt

doi:10.1006/gcen.2001.7706

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The decline of fecal corticoid concentrations we observed in the whooping cranes after hatching is consistent with similar changes in resting plasma corticosterone concentrations and adrenocortical function described in other precocial avian species [Wentworth and Hussein, 1985;Frigerio et al, 2001; reviewed by Carsia and Harvey, 2000]. The posthatch decline follows increased late embryonic adrenocortical activity that results in high levels of circulating corticosterone, which is thought to promote organ differentiation and maturation [Avrutina et al, 1985].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Fecal corticoid monitoring in whooping cranes (Grus americana) undergoing reintroduction

Hartup

Olsen²,

Czekala

2005

Zoo Biology

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We used radioimmunoassay to determine fecal corticoid concentrations and assess potential stress in 10 endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) undergoing reintroduction to the wild. Fecal samples were collected shortly after hatching at a captive facility in Maryland, during field training in Wisconsin, and throughout a human-led migration to Florida. After a 14-day decline following hatching, fecal corticoid concentrations stabilized at baseline levels for the duration of the captive period, despite exposure to potentially stressful stimuli. Shipment of the cranes to the field training site was correlated with an eight-to 34-fold increase in fecal corticoid concentrations, which returned to baseline levels within 1 week. Increases were positively correlated with age but not body weight at the time of shipping. Fecal corticoid concentrations during the training period increased slightly and exhibited greater variation than levels observed at the captive facility, but were well within expected norms based on previous studies. Fecal corticoid concentrations increased twofold following premigration physical examinations and placement of radiotransmitters, and persisted for up to 4 days before they returned to baseline levels. Though fecal corticoid concentrations and variation during the migration period were similar to training levels, there was an overall decline in fecal corticoid concentrations during the artificial migration. Acute stressors, such as capture, restraint, and severe storms, were associated with stress responses by the cranes that varied in accordance with lasting physical or psychological stimuli. The overall reintroduction process of costume-rearing, ultralight aircraft habituation, training, and artificial migration was not associated with elevations in fecal corticoid concentrations suggestive of chronic stress. Zoo Biol 24: 15-28, 2005.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Fecal corticoid monitoring in whooping cranes (Grus americana) undergoing reintroduction

Hartup

Olsen²,

Czekala

2005

Zoo Biology

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“…To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate this fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assay is useful for stress assessment in small birds (Ͻ200 g). Our findings are corroborated by other studies that suggest the physiological stress response of birds can be monitored using fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assays (Wasser et al 1997, Frigerio et al 2001, Ludders et al 2001. Although excretion lag times (time difference between the stressful event and when fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels are elevated) vary among species, the general patterns we observed with Mourning Doves are similar to those reported in the literature for other birds.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assays have been validated for Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina; Wasser et al 1997), Florida Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis; Ludders et al 2001), and Greylag Geese (Anser anser; Frigerio et al 2001). This noninvasive method for monitoring adrenocortical activity may also be useful in birds of smaller body size, such as Mourning Doves.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Fecal Glucocorticoids for Stress Assessment in Mourning Doves

Washburn¹,

Millspaugh²,

Schulz³

et al. 2003

Condor

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Abstract. Fecal glucocorticoid assays provide a potentially useful, noninvasive means to study physiological responses of wildlife to various stressors. The objective of our study was to validate a method for measuring glucocorticoid metabolites in Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) feces. We validated the assay using standard procedures (e.g., parallelism, recovery of exogenous corticosterone) to demonstrate that the assay accurately and precisely measured glucocorticoid metabolites in Mourning Dove fecal extracts. We conducted adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) challenge experiments to validate the assay's ability to determine biologically important changes in fecal glucocorticoids. Fecal glucocorticoid levels increased significantly approximately 2-3 hr after administration of ACTH at 50 IU per kg body mass to wild Mourning Doves held in captivity. In contrast, fecal glucocorticoid metabolites did not increase in control birds, birds that received saline injections, or a lower dose of ACTH (1 IU per kg body mass). Variation in overall fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels may have been influenced by season and the length of time birds were held in captivity. Noninvasive fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analyses, in combination with demographic information, may have considerable utility for monitoring the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on Mourning Dove populations.Key words: Columbiformes, corticosterone, feces, noninvasive, physiology, radioimmunoassay, stress. Uso de Glucocorticoides Fecales Para Evaluar el Estrés en Zenaida macrouraResumen. Las evaluaciones de glucocorticoides fecales representan un medio no invasor potencialmente útil para estudiar las respuestas fisiológicas de los animales silvestres ante agentes causantes de estrés. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue validar un método para medir metabolitos glucocorticoides en heces de palomas Zenaida macroura. Validamos el método mediante procedimientos estándar (e.g., paralelismo, recuperación de corticosterona exóge-na) para demostrar que éste mide con exactitud y precisión los metabolitos glucocorticoides en extractos fecales de Z. macroura. Realizamos experimentos de desafío con adrenocorticotropina (ACTH) para validar la habilidad que tenía el método para determinar cambios biológicamente importantes en los glucocorticoides fecales. Los niveles de glucocorticoides fecales aumentaron de forma significativa aproximadamente 2-3 hr después de la administración de ACTH a 50 IU por kg de peso corporal a palomas silvestres mantenidas en cautiverio. En contraste, los metabolitos glucocorticoides fecales no aumentaron en aves control, ni en aves que recibieron inyecciones salinas o una menor dosis de ACTH (1 IU por kg de peso corporal). La variación en los niveles generales de metabolitos glucocorticoides fecales podría haber sido influenciada por la estación y la longitud del período de tiempo en que las aves fueron mantenidas en cautiverio. Los análisis no invasores de metabolitos glucocorticoides, en combinación con información demográfica, pod...

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“…This sex difference might reflect differences in social development since female rank is largely stable by this age (Gesquiere et al, 2005). Frigerio et al (2001) studied fecal corticosterone of hand-reared, unrestrained greylag geese (Anser anser) from hatching until fledging. Corticoids declined during the first 20 days, and remained low for the remainder of the period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental and geographic variation in stress hormones in wild Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi)

Mateo

2006

Hormones and Behavior

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Extensive research has been conducted on the role of glucocorticoids in regulating growth, mobilizing energy, responding to stressors and modulating learning and memory. However, little is known about the production of corticoids during early development in free-living animals, particularly during sensitive periods of acquisition of important behaviors. In a four-year study of Belding's ground squirrels, Spermophilus beldingi, a non-invasive assay of glucocorticoids was used to quantify age and population differences among juveniles from three California locations. Fecal-cortisol metabolites are elevated during a short period when juveniles first emerge aboveground from their natal burrows at about 4 weeks of age. This period of cortisol elevation coincides with when young are learning survival behaviors such as anti-predator responses and foraging strategies. Population differences in juvenile cortisol levels, which may reflect local variation in habitat quality and predator environments, were not evident until 2 weeks after emergence. Elevated cortisol at the age of emergence was also observed in juveniles born and reared in captivity without exposure to typical stressors that occur around the age of emergence. These results indicate that corticoids are regulated during early development, and the possible functions of age-related corticoid levels are discussed, including mobilization of glucose for natal emergence and later facilitation of growth and energy storage during the short summer before hibernation. In some species, elevated corticoids can also facilitate learning and memory, and current work is exploring whether the higher cortisol observed in all three S. beldingi populations just after emergence function to promote rapid acquisition of survival behaviors.

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Excreted Metabolites of Gonadal Steroid Hormones and Corticosterone in Greylag Geese (Anser anser) from Hatching to Fledging

Cited by 26 publications

References 49 publications

Fecal corticoid monitoring in whooping cranes (Grus americana) undergoing reintroduction

Fecal corticoid monitoring in whooping cranes (Grus americana) undergoing reintroduction

Using Fecal Glucocorticoids for Stress Assessment in Mourning Doves

Developmental and geographic variation in stress hormones in wild Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi)

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