Validating the use of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analysis to assess the adrenocortical activity of the zoo‐housed Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana)

With limited information known about the zoo‐housed Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana), there is a need to gain more knowledge about their basic physiology to be able to better assess their well‐being. Our goal was to develop noninvasive methods to evaluate stress physiology in the Sichuan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zoo biology 2021-09, Vol.40 (5), p.479-484
Main Authors: Santymire, Rachel M., Adkin, Angie, Bernier, David, Hill, Brandy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggression
Aggressive behavior
behavior
Budorcas taxicolor tibetana
Cortisol
Endangered & extinct species
Environmental conditions
Enzyme immunoassay
Feces
Females
glucocorticoid
Glucocorticoids
Hormones
Immunoassay
Laboratories
Males
Metabolites
Parturition
Physiology
Pregnancy
Reproductive behavior
Social factors
social housing
Threatened species
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Summary:With limited information known about the zoo‐housed Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana), there is a need to gain more knowledge about their basic physiology to be able to better assess their well‐being. Our goal was to develop noninvasive methods to evaluate stress physiology in the Sichuan takins housed under human care. The objectives were: (1) validate the use of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) analysis to monitor adrenocortical activity and (2) determine the relationship between FGM concentrations and changes in various factors including environmental conditions, reproductive hormones, and social factors. Three (one male and two females) adult Sichuan takins were included in the study from Lincoln Park Zoo. A cortisol enzyme immunoassay was used to analyze FGM from samples that were collected 2–4 times per week. FGM was biochemically validated in the laboratory and biologically validated using pregnancy and parturition. Results showed that 1 day after birth one female had a more than a six‐fold increase in FGM. A positive relationship (p 
ISSN:0733-3188
1098-2361
DOI:10.1002/zoo.21612