Plasma concentrations of glucocorticoids in white-tailed deer: the effect of acute ACTH and dexamethasone administration

Smith, J. H.; Bubenik, George A.

doi:10.1139/z90-295

Cited by 27 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…However, other deer species respond to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) challenges with presum¬ ably maximal cortisol concentrations of 250-580 nmol/l (white-tailed deer, 275 nmol/l, Seal et al 1983;410-580 nmol/l, Smith & Bubenik, 1990;rusa deer, 250 nmol/l, van Mourik & Stelmasiak, 19846) within 30-60 min of ACTH administration. Episodic cortisol secretion presumably reflects the secretion of hypothalamic releasing hormones and pituitary ACTH.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In white-tailed (Seal & Erickson, 1969;Bubenik et al 1975;Smith & Bubenik, 1990) and rusa (van Mourik et al 1986) deer, cortisol is the predominant adrenal steroid, whereas corticosterone comprises between 15 and 30% of total corticosteroid produc¬ tion. Most studies of adrenal function in deer have been carried out in sedated or fully anaesthetized indi¬ viduals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Episodic and seasonal rhythms of cortisol secretion in male Eld's deer (Cervus eldi thamin)

Monfort

Brown²,

Wildt³

1993

Journal of Endocrinology

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Episodic and seasonal rhythms of cortisol secretion were evaluated in six adult Eld's deer (Cervus eldi thamin) stags. Plasma cortisol was measured in serial blood samples collected via remote catheterization every 10 min for 10 h within 2 weeks of the summer solstice (21 June), autumn equinox (22 September), winter solstice (21 December) and spring equinox (20 March), and in weekly blood samples collected from sedated stags. Cortisol was secreted episodically at a rate of approximately 0.6 peaks/h. Based on quantitative peak detection analyses of each 10-h data series, no overall seasonal differences (P > 0.05) were detected in the number of peaks (mean range, 5.7-6.2), maximal peak height (mean range, 30.1-40.8 nmol/l), mean peak height as per cent increase (mean range, 158-168%), mean interval between peaks (mean range, 80.1-88.6 min), mean peak width (mean range, 55.1-65.1 min) and mean peak area under the curve (mean range, 675-816 nmol/l min). Based on weekly blood sampling, spring cortisol concentrations were elevated (P < 0.05) compared with summer and autumn concentrations. However, when mean cortisol concentrations derived from the 10-h quarterly data sets were analysed, no seasonal differences (P > 0.05) were detected. The present study represents the first detailed confirmation of episodic cortisol secretion in any cervid. Results (1) indicate that Eld's deer stags lack a distinct seasonal rhythm of cortisol secretion and (2) clearly illustrate the need for frequent blood sampling in fully conscious individuals to ensure accurate assessment of adrenal status in cervids.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Episodic and seasonal rhythms of cortisol secretion in male Eld's deer (Cervus eldi thamin)

Monfort

Brown²,

Wildt³

1993

Journal of Endocrinology

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“…The ACTH stimulation test is a method to probe the responsiveness of adrenal glands directly. This protocol, or modifications of it, has been successfully applied in field studies on stress in a wide variety of species (e.g., deer, Smith and Bubenik 1990;sparrows, Astheimer et al 1994; and snowshoe hares, ). We performed our comparison in males of three classes: adult breeding males in early May near the end of the mating period, adult nonbreeding males in early-to-late summer, and juvenile males in late summer when they had dispersed and were setting up new home ranges in competition with adult males.…”

Section: Experimental Protocol and Predictionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction at All Costs: The Adaptive Stress Response of Male Arctic Ground Squirrels

Boonstra

McColl

Karels

2001

Ecology

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Abstract. We tested the hypothesis that adult male arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii plesius) exhibit an adaptive stress response during the mating period that may compromise their survival, whereas males at other times (nonreproductive adult males and juvenile males) have a normal functional stress response. We assessed the physiological responsiveness of the stress axis, of energy mobilization, and of the immune response by subjecting adult breeding males, adult nonbreeding males, and juvenile males to a hormonal challenge and an immunocompetence challenge. At the onset of the breeding season in spring, only 25-30% of the population were males, and of those present during the mating period, half disappeared soon thereafter, and 82% were not replaced by immigrants. Adult breeding males had the highest levels of free cortisol, the lowest maximum corticosteroidbinding capacity, slight dexamethasone resistance, the lowest hematocrit, the lowest number of white blood cells, the highest number of eosinophils, and the poorest ability to respond to the foreign antigen challenge in comparison with the other two male classes. All of these characteristics were indicative of chronic stress in breeding males that may directly compromise their survival. Juvenile males in mid-August also showed many, but not all of these characteristics, indicative of a prolonged period of stress, presumably associated with the period of dispersal. Testosterone levels remained high irrespective of age or breeding condition, decreased when dexamethasone was injected, and increased when ACTH was injected. These latter results are unique in mammals. High testosterone levels and their augmentation with stressors may play a key role in maintenance of aggressive behavior. We conclude that breeding male arctic ground squirrels exhibit an adaptive stress response in which they trade off survival for reproduction. We hypothesize that similar stress responses may have evolved in other species with comparable life histories.

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“…Such pulsatile secretion is thought to prevent down-regulation of the HPA axis while maintaining its ability to respond to stress (Monfort et al 1993). In deer, episodic secretion of cortisol, the predominant glucocorticoid (van Mourik et al 1985, Smith & Bubenik 1990, has been investigated in Eld's deer (Cervus eldi thamin) (Monfort et al 1993) but there appears to be no information on cortisol secretory dynamics in red deer (Cervus elaphus).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultradian, circadian and seasonal rhythms in cortisol secretion and adrenal responsiveness to ACTH and yarding in unrestrained red deer (Cervus elaphus) stags

Ingram

Crockford²,

Matthews³

1999

Journal of Endocrinology

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Seasonal changes in the activity and responsiveness of the adrenal gland in red deer (Cervus elaphus) stags were quantified by measuring 24 h endogenous cortisol secretory profiles and plasma cortisol responses to either administration of exogenous ACTH or a standardised stressor during November (period of velvet growth), February (pre-rut), April (mid-rut) and July (post-rut) (southern hemisphere) using a remote blood sampling device (DracPac).Ultradian rhythms in the concentration of plasma cortisol were observed resulting from the episodic secretion of cortisol from the adrenal cortex at a mean rate of 0·8 pulses/h. Circadian rhythms in plasma cortisol concentrations were also found in 11 out of the 20 complete 24 h profiles (mean amplitude, 3·8 1·4 ng/ml).Seasonal rhythms in mean 24 h plasma cortisol concentrations and cortisol pulse parameters were also observed. Mean 24 h plasma cortisol concentrations were higher in November (12·5 1·0 ng/ml) than in February (6·3 1·0 ng/ml), April (4·0 1·0 ng/ml) or July (4·2 1·0 ng/ml). Cortisol pulse height, nadir and amplitude were all significantly higher in November than at other times of the year (P<0·01).Peak cortisol concentrations following infusion of ACTH 1-24 (0·04 IU kg -1 ) were higher (P<0·05) in November (55·8 2·7 ng/ml) and lower (P<0·001) in April (33·7 1·8 ng/ml) than those in February and July (48·7 2·0 ng/ml and 45·4 2·0 ng/ml respectively). The area under the cortisol response curve was significantly smaller (P<0·05) in April (266·6 15·3 ng/ml/ 190 min) than at other times of the year (February, 366·1 15·3 ng/ml/190 min; July, 340·7 15·3 ng/ml/ 190 min and November, 387·8 21·2 ng/ml/190 min).These data demonstrate that the adrenal gland of the red deer stag exhibits ultradian, circadian and seasonal rhythms in activity, and that its responsiveness to ACTH varies with season. November, a period of reproductive quiescence in the southern hemisphere, with new antler growth and rapid weight gain, is associated with higher mean plasma cortisol concentrations and a greater responsiveness to exogenous ACTH. In contrast, the breeding season is associated with lower adrenal activity and responsiveness.

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Plasma concentrations of glucocorticoids in white-tailed deer: the effect of acute ACTH and dexamethasone administration

Cited by 27 publications

References 27 publications

Episodic and seasonal rhythms of cortisol secretion in male Eld's deer (Cervus eldi thamin)

Episodic and seasonal rhythms of cortisol secretion in male Eld's deer (Cervus eldi thamin)

Reproduction at All Costs: The Adaptive Stress Response of Male Arctic Ground Squirrels

Ultradian, circadian and seasonal rhythms in cortisol secretion and adrenal responsiveness to ACTH and yarding in unrestrained red deer (Cervus elaphus) stags

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