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Conservation physiology2019; 7(1); coz065; doi: 10.1093/conphys/coz065

Preservation of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites and immunoglobulin A through silica gel drying for field studies in horses.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods enable stress evaluation through measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the feces avoiding stressful blood drawing or stressful restraining of animals in the field. However, FGMs and IgA are mostly analysed in freshly frozen samples, which is difficult when fresh samples cannot be frozen immediately or frozen samples cannot be stored or transported. Good results were also derived from air-dried fecal samples, which are hampered by unstable air humidity in the field. These difficulties may be overcome, when drying of samples could be induced with colorless silica gel (SiO) granules in a secure set-up, such as an air tight tube. We determined the speed of drying 1.5 g of a fresh fecal sample from six horses on air and on silica gel. Furthermore, FGMs and IgA were analysed in differently stored subsamples from 12 horses: in frozen fecal samples, in air- or silica gel-dried samples stored for 1 day and for 7 days, and in wet fecal samples kept in a tube at room temperature for 7 days. FGM levels remained stable in feces dried on air or on silica gel for 7 days, whereas IgA quantities showed a significant loss. Under field conditions, when freezing or transporting the frozen samples is not possible and humidity hampers air drying, drying samples on silica gel in air tight tubes appears to be very helpful and reliable for analysing FGMs.
© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press and the Society for Experimental Biology.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-27 PubMed ID: 31687143PubMed Central: PMC6821355DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz065Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research investigates the use of silica gel to dry and preserve fecal samples from horses for glucocorticoid metabolite and immunoglobulin A analysis. The study shows that under difficult field conditions where freezing or transporting frozen samples isn’t possible, drying the samples on silica gel appears to be a reliable method for metabolite analysis.

Study Overview

  • The study focuses on the non-invasive ways of stress evaluation in horses, by measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) and immunoglobulin A (IgA).
  • The common method of analysis includes using freshly frozen fecal samples, which can pose difficulties in storage or transport. Therefore, finding a reliable preservation method is crucial.
  • The researchers experiment with colorless silica gel granules for drying and preserving the fecal samples.

Methods Used in the Research

  • Speed of drying 1.5g of fresh fecal sample from six horses on air and on silica gel is observed.
  • Then, the team analyzes FGMs and IgA in variously stored subsamples from 12 horses – frozen fecal samples, air-dried or silica gel-dried samples stored for one and seven days, and wet samples stored at room temperature for seven days.

Findings of the Study

  • It was found that the level of glucocorticoid metabolites in the dried fecal samples was consistent, irrespective of whether the samples were dried in air or on silica gel for seven days.
  • However, quantities of immunoglobulin A decreased significantly.
  • Under field conditions where freezing the sample or keeping it in a frozen state isn’t feasible and if air drying isn’t possible due to humidity levels, using silica gel to dry fecal samples seems to be an effective method for analysing glucocorticoid metabolites.

Cite This Article

APA
Krueger K, Marr I, Dobler A, Palme R. (2019). Preservation of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites and immunoglobulin A through silica gel drying for field studies in horses. Conserv Physiol, 7(1), coz065. https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coz065

Publication

Conservation physiology
ISSN: 2051-1434
NlmUniqueID: 101656116
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Pages: coz065
PII: coz065

Researcher Affiliations

Krueger, Konstanze
  • Department Equine Economics, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany.
  • University of Regensburg Zoology/Evolutionary Biology, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Marr, Isabell
  • Department Equine Economics, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany.
  • Department of Behavioral Physiology of Livestock, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
Dobler, Andrea
  • Department Equine Economics, Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Faculty Agriculture, Economics and Management, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany.
Palme, Rupert
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinär-Platz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Lacomme L, Guerbois C, Fritz H, Ganswindt A, Rey B. Validation of a field-friendly faeces drying and storage method for quantifying faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in African elephants (Loxodonta africana) opens up new perspectives for conservationists.. Conserv Physiol 2023;11(1):coad053.
    doi: 10.1093/conphys/coad053pubmed: 37538993google scholar: lookup
  2. Marr I, Preisler V, Farmer K, Stefanski V, Krueger K. Non-invasive stress evaluation in domestic horses (Equus caballus): impact of housing conditions on sensory laterality and immunoglobulin A.. R Soc Open Sci 2020 Feb;7(2):191994.
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