Document Detail


Faecal corticosteroid levels as an indicator of well-being in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15664316     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Faecal corticosteroid levels were measured in five female tammar wallabies, Macropus eugenii, at Macquarie University, NSW, Australia, to assess their reliability as indicators of well-being in this species. Animals were challenged with a change in conditions over the course of approximately 1 week, comprising movement from group yards to isolation in individual yards, in order to impose a disturbance to homeostasis ("stress"). Faecal samples were collected in 24-h intervals during the study period and analysed for corticosteroid concentration. The use of enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of corticosteroids in marsupial faecal pellets was validated. We observed a significant increase in faecal corticosteroids upon isolation and movement. Faecal corticosteroids remained above initial levels in all five animals throughout the study period, suggesting that faecal corticosteroid concentrations may be a useful indicator of a change in animal well-being. Faecal corticosteroid levels did not correlate with serum cortisol levels, implying that the use of noninvasive methods in a representative marsupial, the tammar wallaby, has the potential to provide information that is not readily apparent using blood-based protocols. Faecal corticosteroid analysis therefore has the potential for application in monitoring the well-being of captive and managed marsupial populations, as part of an integrated system of measures of animal health and well-being.
Authors:
S McKenzie; E M Deane
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Evaluation Studies; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology     Volume:  140     ISSN:  1095-6433     ISO Abbreviation:  Comp. Biochem. Physiol., Part A Mol. Integr. Physiol.     Publication Date:  2005 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-01-24     Completed Date:  2005-04-18     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9806096     Medline TA:  Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  81-7     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adrenal Cortex Hormones / analysis*,  metabolism
Animals
Feces / chemistry*
Female
Macropodidae / metabolism,  physiology*
Monitoring, Physiologic / methods*
Stress, Psychological / metabolism*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Adrenal Cortex Hormones

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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