TY - JOUR KW - biological validation KW - enzyme immunoassay KW - faecal analysis KW - glucocorticoid metabolites KW - stress AU - M Volfova AU - Z Machovcova AU - F Schwarzenberger AU - E Voslarova AU - I Bedanova AU - V Vecerek AB - The non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical activity by measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) in faeces is currently a widely used method, especially in exotic animals. The aim of our study was to biologically validate the suitability of six different enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) to quantify changes in FGM concentrations after a known strong stress stimulus (capture, sedation, blood collection for serological examination and tuberculination) in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Faecal samples were collected from six animals (four males and two females) twice daily spanning from two days before until three days after the exposure to the stress stimulus. The faecal samples obtained were extracted and the supernatants were measured for immunoreactive FGM concentrations using six different EIAs, namely cortisol, corticosterone, 11-oxoaetiocholanolone I, 11-oxoaetiocholanolone II, 11β-hydroxyaetiocholanolone and 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one EIA. The baseline levels, peak levels (absolute concentration and percentage increase), the duration of the peak and lag time of the peak were calculated and statistically evaluated. The FGM concentrations started to increase on average 23 hours after the exposure to the stress stimulus and returned to pre-stress levels on average within 36 hours. Our results suggest that the two group-specific 11-oxoaetiocholanolone EIAs and the 11β-hydroxyaetiocholanolone assay are generally suitable for the monitoring of stress response in ring-tailed lemurs. BT - Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift CY - Hannover DA - 01/2020 DO - 10.2376/0005-9366-18078 LA - Englisch N2 - The non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical activity by measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) in faeces is currently a widely used method, especially in exotic animals. The aim of our study was to biologically validate the suitability of six different enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) to quantify changes in FGM concentrations after a known strong stress stimulus (capture, sedation, blood collection for serological examination and tuberculination) in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Faecal samples were collected from six animals (four males and two females) twice daily spanning from two days before until three days after the exposure to the stress stimulus. The faecal samples obtained were extracted and the supernatants were measured for immunoreactive FGM concentrations using six different EIAs, namely cortisol, corticosterone, 11-oxoaetiocholanolone I, 11-oxoaetiocholanolone II, 11β-hydroxyaetiocholanolone and 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one EIA. The baseline levels, peak levels (absolute concentration and percentage increase), the duration of the peak and lag time of the peak were calculated and statistically evaluated. The FGM concentrations started to increase on average 23 hours after the exposure to the stress stimulus and returned to pre-stress levels on average within 36 hours. Our results suggest that the two group-specific 11-oxoaetiocholanolone EIAs and the 11β-hydroxyaetiocholanolone assay are generally suitable for the monitoring of stress response in ring-tailed lemurs. PB - Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG PP - Hannover PY - 2020 T1 - Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) T2 - Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift TI - Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) TT - Nichtinvasive Erhebung der Nebennierenrindenaktivität als Maß für Stress bei Kattas (Lemur catta) VL - 133 SN - 133 ER -