Translocation stress is reflected in corticosterone metabolites in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) droppings

Abstract

Translocation (including transportation and experiencing a new environment) represents a significant stressor for animals. The aim of this study was to assess changes in corticosterone metabolite (CM) levels related to translocation in common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). Sixteen birds (8 males and 8 females) aged 17 weeks were crated and transported for 3.5 h (distance travelled 140 km) to the target customer. Serial individual droppings were collected from 2 days prior until 3 days after transport. Concentrations of CMs in droppings were determined with a non-commercial cortisone enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Transport stress resulted in increased CM concentrations in the droppings in our study. The CM concentrations significantly increased within 2.5 h of transport (P < 0.01) compared to pre-transport levels (747 ng/g vs. 187 ng/g). After additional 3 h, the CM concentrations fell back to the baseline levels (207.7 ng/g). In the new environment, the second peak (median: 1383 ng/g) was determined with CM concentrations increasing (P < 0.01) compared to baseline levels. This increase was likely connected to the stress resulting from the new environment. The CM levels returned back to the baseline level 26 h after the start of transportation. No differences in concentrations of CM between sexes were found in our study. The utilized cortisone EIA proved suited to detect biologically meaningful alterations in adrenocortical activity of pheasants exposed to procedures related to their transport.

The Quail Game Farming Sector in Spain

“…The proportion of quail game farms that transport birds to their destination, at the request of the customer ( Table 7 ), was at a similar level to the proportion of red-legged partridge (85.7% [ 19 ]), pheasant (88% [ 20 ]), and wild rabbit game farms (85.7% [ 21 ]) that offer the same service. The high proportion of game farms offering customers the possibility of delivering purchased animals to their destination is explained by the fact that transporting game species is not easy to carry out due to their wild nature and tendency to become stressed [ 44 ]. Moreover, this also occurs because the requirements for transporting animals, according to European Union regulations, are complex [ 45 ].…”

Feather corticosterone is lower in translocated and historical populations of the endangered Laysan duck ( Anas laysanensis )

“…In the absence of this in-hand physiological 'challenge', one needs to rely on additional information to interpret the comparatively low cort values we documented. From studies of other bird species, we know that translocationcapture, captivity and transportation-is stressful, and cort concentrations are typically elevated upon release due to novelty and uncertainty in the new environment [89][90][91][92][93][94]. If the stressors are persistent or prolonged, symptoms of chronic stress may arise.…”

The impact of traumatic limb injuries resulting from operations related to transport for slaughter on biochemical indices in end-of-lay hens

“…Hens in which traumatic limb injuries were detected during slaughterhouse inspection showed higher plasma corticosterone concentrations during bleed-out in comparison with intact birds. Corticosterone is a major adrenocorticoid hormone in birds (Carsia and Harvey 2000) and its secretion increases in response to stress (Volfová et al 2022). The release of corticosterone by the adrenal gland results from the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to stress stimuli (Cockrem 2007).…”