Non-invasive measurement of adrenocortical activity in a myrmecophageous mammal, the bat-eared fox

Roux, Aliza le; Botha, H; Dalerum, Fredrik; Ganswindt, André

doi:10.1080/15627020.2016.1145071

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 25 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…This lack of relationship with social behaviour is likely attributable to relatively low rates of negative social interactions in foxes. Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in foxes peak between 24 and 48 h after experiencing stress (le Roux et al ., ). It is possible due to our sampling procedure that periods of elevated fGCM levels were missed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…At the ERL, we prepared faecal samples and extracted the hormone metabolites as previously described by le Roux et al . (). Following freeze‐drying, faecal samples were pulverized before 0.05–0.06 g of faecal powder was weighed out.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…content): fAM levels was approximately double in adult males. We used an EIA previously established for this species to determine fGCM concentrations (le Roux et al ., ). Detailed assay characteristics, including a full description of assay components and cross‐reactivities, are provided by Palme & Möstl () for the epiandrosterone EIA and by Palme & Möstl () for the cortisol EIA.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Friendly foxes: the relationship between steroid hormones and social behaviour in a monogamous African canid

et al. 2018

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Aside from some studies on cooperatively breeding species, we know little about the underlying endocrine mechanisms of social behaviour in the order Carnivora. We investigated the correlations between steroid hormones and social behaviour in a socially monogamous canid, the bat‐eared fox (Otocyon megalotis). We collected faecal and observational data over 15 and 22 months, respectively, from 14 wild bat‐eared foxes in the Kalahari Desert, South Africa. These data were used to describe the relationship between faecal hormone metabolite concentrations and social behaviour. Faecal androgen metabolite (fAM) concentration differed by sex and mating season and was positively associated with faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels. Male foxes had substantially higher fAM concentrations (median: 9.99 μg g−1 org. content, IQR = 7.39–11.62 μg g−1 org. content) than females (median: 1.93 μg g−1 org. content, IQR = 1.68–2.56 μg g−1 org. content). Higher fAM concentrations were associated with more social tolerance in female but not male foxes. Concentrations of fAM were positively associated with rate of inter‐group encounters in female foxes. Furthermore, fAM concentrations were also positively associated with the overall rate of negative social interactions for females. Finally, fAM concentrations were positively associated with scent‐marking behaviour in male, but not female foxes. There was no association between fGCM concentrations and any of the observed social behaviours in male foxes. Female foxes had a negative relationship between fGCM concentration and marking behaviour as well as social tolerance. There was no difference in fGCM concentration between female (median: 0.19 μg g−1 org. content, IQR = 0.16–0.23 μg g−1 org. content) and male (median: 0.22 μg g−1 org. content, IQR = 0.19–0.31 μg g−1 org. content) foxes. Our study is the first to describe the endocrine correlates of aggressive and affiliative behaviour in the monogamous bat‐eared fox. Androgens play an important role in mating behaviour in monomorphic, monogamous species where females might drive sexual selection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Friendly foxes: the relationship between steroid hormones and social behaviour in a monogamous African canid

et al. 2018

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“…For example, European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) exposed to chronic stressors downregulate corticosterone secretion to avoid the negative effects on glucose production and immune function (Cyr et al ). Few researchers have studied glucocorticoid production in small canids (Nelson et al , Le Roux et al ), and more data are needed to understand the relationship between GC production and environmental stressors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Glucocorticoid and Thyroid Hormone Production of Island Foxes

et al. 2019

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The island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is native to 6 of the 8 Channel Islands of California, USA. The species experienced a population decline in the 1990s but recovered after predatory golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) were relocated and feral pigs (Sus scrofa), a main food source for the eagles, were removed. As part of an ongoing conservation program, the National Park Service conducts yearly health surveys on foxes residing on Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands. In this study, we document non‐invasive measures of stress and nutritional status from fecal samples collected during surveys from 2009 to 2015. We collected samples defecated in traps overnight or during handling and measured concentrations of glucocorticoid (GC) and triiodothyronine (T3) metabolites using validated assays. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the relationships between hormones, season, island, age class, sex, body condition, reproductive status, and ectoparasite presence. Overall, males had marginally lower fecal T3 concentrations than females. Concentrations of both hormones positively correlated with body condition. Fecal GC production varied seasonally; concentrations were highest from December to February and declined through the summer and fall. During summer, younger females and those with signs of recent reproduction had higher fecal GC concentrations than older females or those without evidence of reproduction. Fecal T3 concentrations did not vary in relation to season, age, or reproductive status, but on San Miguel Island were positively correlated with ectoparasite presence. There were no other significant differences between islands. Our results provide hormone data for island foxes and demonstrate that production varies in relation to seasonal and biological factors. These reference data will serve as a comparison for future health surveys and allow managers to identify factors associated with increased stress or reduced nutritional state. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

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“…Various studies have demonstrated that veterinary examinations, including sedation, can cause both physiological, and behavioral stress in captive and zoo‐housed animals (Heistermann et al, ; Waiblinger, Menke, Korff, & Bucher, ). Illness, injury, and related treatment have also been known to elevate fGCM concentrations (Ganswindt et al, ; Heistermann et al, ; LeRoux, Botha, Dalerum, & Ganswindt, ). Notably, golden langur Zoo 3 had the highest concentrations of fGCM of our five individually monitored captive animals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non‐invasive assessment of adrenocortical function as a measure of stress in the endangered golden langur

Sarmah

Hazarika²,

Berkeley

et al. 2017

Zoo Biology

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The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) is an endangered primate endemic to northern India and Bhutan. The main stressors to the species are habitat degradation and fragmentation. Non-invasive fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) analysis is a powerful tool for assessing stress associated with environmental disturbances in wildlife. However, interspecific differences in glucocorticoid metabolism require careful selection of the antibody used in their quantification. The goals of this study were to: 1) validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to determine fecal GC metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in the golden langur and 2) compare fGCM concentrations between golden langurs living under different environmental conditions. We compared five enzyme immunoassays for determining stress related physiological responses in golden langurs by performing an adrenocorticotropic stimulation test in both sexes. Our validations identified an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone EIA detecting 11, 17 dioxoandrostanes as the most suitable assay for monitoring adrenocortical activity in the species. FGCM concentrations from semi-captive temple langurs were significantly higher than respective stress steroid concentrations in free-ranging or pet/zoo langurs. This study presents a validated practical method for non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical function in this rare and declining species.

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Non-invasive measurement of adrenocortical activity in a myrmecophageous mammal, the bat-eared fox

Cited by 9 publications

References 25 publications

Friendly foxes: the relationship between steroid hormones and social behaviour in a monogamous African canid

Friendly foxes: the relationship between steroid hormones and social behaviour in a monogamous African canid

Factors Affecting Glucocorticoid and Thyroid Hormone Production of Island Foxes

Non‐invasive assessment of adrenocortical function as a measure of stress in the endangered golden langur

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