Differences in seasonal changes of fecal androgen levels between stabled and free-ranging Polish Konik stallions.
Abstract: Blood and feces samples were collected from Polish Konik stallions kept under conventional stable conditions and in the forest reserve during a 1-year study period. Levels of testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A(4)) were measured using radioimmunoassay. Positive correlation between fecal and plasma concentrations of androgens was observed. Fecal T concentrations increased in April and May reaching peak value mid-April in the stallions from the reserve group and 2 weeks later in the stallions from the stable group. Comparatively, concentrations of T were higher in the stable group. Levels of T decreased in July, increasing through August to September, and decreasing again in October. During this period of increase, concentrations of T were higher in the reserve group. A peak of fecal A(4) concentrations in the reserve group was noted mid-April, but high levels of this androgen appeared later and remained longer (also in May). When the breeding season finished, the concentration of A(4) decreased and remained low. During breeding season, concentrations of A(4) were higher in fecal samples taken from stable stallions than from those in the reserve group. During non-breeding seasons levels of this androgen in both groups were similar. The individual differences in the fecal androgen levels were dependent on the behavior of the stallions and were not related to their age. The seasonal changes of fecal T and A(4) levels differed between stabled and free-ranging Polish Konik stallions.
Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-06-20 PubMed ID: 20600044DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.06.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the seasonal fluctuations in testosterone and androstenedione levels in both stable-kept and free-range Polish Konik stallions through fecal sample analysis over a one-year period.
Sample Collection and Methodology
- The research involved a year-long study where both blood and feces samples were collected from Polish Konik stallions kept under conventional stable conditions and in a forest reserve.
- Testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A(4)) levels were measured using a technique known as radioimmunoassay, a sensitive method for measuring tiny amounts of specific substances like hormones in blood and other fluids.
Results and Observations
- A positive correlation was found between fecal and plasma concentrations of androgens, signifying how fecal analysis can be a credible way of estimating hormone levels in the blood.
- In general, testosterone levels tended to spike in April and May, peaking mid-April in the free-range stallions and about two weeks later in the stabled group. This delay may be related to differences in environmental conditions and/or lifestyle between the stabled and free-range stallions.
- More specifically, stable-kept stallions generally showed higher testosterone levels than the free-range group other than during the late summer increase.
- Androstenedione levels peaked mid-April in reserve stallions, but high levels of this hormone appeared later and stayed for a longer time in stabled stallions, particularly in May.
Seasonal Differences
- During breeding season, higher concentrations of androstenedione were found in the stabled stallions, which contrasted to the situation after the breeding season when levels of this androgen went low in both groups.
- In the non-breeding season, levels of this hormone were similar in both stabled and free-range stallions.
- Individual differences in fecal androgen levels were more related to the behavior of the stallions rather than their age, implying that environmental and lifestyle factors influence hormone levels more than age.
Overall Findings
- The seasonal changes of fecal testosterone and androstenedione levels were different between stabled and free-ranging Polish Konik stallions, suggesting that environmental factors, lifestyle, and perhaps living conditions, play a role in hormone level fluctuations.
Cite This Article
APA
Opałka M, Kamińska B, Jaworski Z.
(2010).
Differences in seasonal changes of fecal androgen levels between stabled and free-ranging Polish Konik stallions.
Gen Comp Endocrinol, 168(3), 455-459.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.06.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland. mareko@uwm.edu.pl
MeSH Terms
- Androgens / blood
- Androgens / metabolism
- Animals
- Feces / chemistry
- Horses
- Male
- Radioimmunoassay
- Seasons
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