Simplified method to measure glucocorticoid metabolites in faeces of horses.
Abstract: Glucocorticoids or their metabolites can be measured in several body fluids or excreta, including plasma, saliva, urine and faeces. In recent years the measurement of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) in faeces has gained increasing attention, because of its suitability for wild populations. In horses, however, the group-specific enzyme immunoassay described so far has a limited practicability due to its complex extraction procedure. Therefore, we tested the applicability of other enzyme immunoassays for glucocorticoid metabolites. The present study clearly proved that an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for 11-oxoaetiocholanolone using 11-oxoaetiocholanolone-17-CMO: BSA (3alpha,11-oxo-A EIA) as antigen showed high amounts of immunoreactive substances. Therefore it was possible to use just a small amount of the supernatant of a methanolic suspension of faeces. The results correlated well with the already described method for measuring GCMs in horse faeces, i.e. analysing the samples with an EIA after a two step clean up procedure of the samples (Merl et al. 2000). In addition, the 3alpha,11-oxo-A EIA has the advantage of providing a bigger difference between baseline values and peak values after ACTH stimulation. The new assay increased the accuracy of the test, lowered the expenses per sample, and storing samples at room temperature after collection was less critical than with other assays investigated in our study. This is a big advantage both in the field of wildlife management of equids and in the field of equestrian sports and it shows the importance of choosing an assay which is in good accordance with the metabolites excreted in a given species.
Publication Date: 2010-02-25 PubMed ID: 20182914DOI: 10.1007/s11259-010-9344-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a simplified method for measuring glucocorticoid metabolites in horse faeces, which increases accuracy and reduces costs compared to previous methods. This newly proposed method has significant implications for wildlife management and equestrian sports.
Background
- Glucocorticoids are a type of steroid hormone that can be detected in various body fluids, including plasma, saliva, urine, and faeces.
- Recently, the measurement of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) in faeces has been recognized for its potential to monitor stress levels in wild animal populations. This marking of glucocorticoid is non-invasive and particularly suitable for tracking hormones in undomesticated animals.
- The existing method of measuring GCMs in horse faeces using a group-specific enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is, however, complex and impractical in certain settings.
Objective
- This research aimed to identify a more practical and less complex EIA for glucocorticoid metabolites in horse faeces.
Study and Results
- The researchers tested different EIAs and found that one using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for 11-oxoaetiocholanolone as an antigen demonstrated a high amount of immunoreactive substances.
- Using this EIA for glucocorticoid metabolites allowed the researchers to use just a minimal amount of the methanolic supernatant from faeces.
- The results correlated well with the previously described method, i.e., analysing the samples with an EIA after a two-step cleanup process.
- Importantly, the newly introduced 3alpha,11-oxo-A EIA offered a bigger difference between the baseline values and peak values after an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test, providing more accurate results.
Benefits of the New Method
- The new method increased the accuracy of the test, reduced expenses per sample and was less affected if samples were stored at room temperature after collection – a benefit not seen with other assays evaluated in this study.
- This novel method is advantageous in the field of wildlife management involving horses and in equestrian sports. It also emphasizes the importance of choosing an assay that corresponds well with the metabolites excreted in a given species.
Cite This Article
APA
Flauger B, Krueger K, Gerhards H, Möstl E.
(2010).
Simplified method to measure glucocorticoid metabolites in faeces of horses.
Vet Res Commun, 34(2), 185-195.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-010-9344-y Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Biology I, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany. Birgit.Flauger@biologie.uni-regensburg.de
MeSH Terms
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / pharmacology
- Animals
- Dexamethasone / metabolism
- Etiocholanolone / analogs & derivatives
- Etiocholanolone / analysis
- Etiocholanolone / metabolism
- Feces / chemistry
- Female
- Glucocorticoids / analysis
- Glucocorticoids / metabolism
- Horses / metabolism
- Immunoenzyme Techniques / methods
- Immunoenzyme Techniques / veterinary
- Male
- Stress, Physiological / physiology
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This article includes 10 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Delank K, Reese S, Erhard M, Wöhr AC. Behavioral and hormonal assessment of stress in foals (Equus caballus) throughout the weaning process. PLoS One 2023;18(1):e0280078.
- Riva MG, Dai F, Huhtinen M, Minero M, Barbieri S, Dalla Costa E. The Impact of Noise Anxiety on Behavior and Welfare of Horses from UK and US Owner's Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 21;12(10).
- Martínez L, Silván G, Cáceres S, Caperos JM, Fernández-Morán J, Casares M, Crespo B, de Andrés PJ, Illera JC. Preliminary Findings on How Different Management Systems and Social Interactions Influence Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 31;12(7).
- Dai F, Rausk J, Aspegren J, Huhtinen M, Cannas S, Minero M. Use of Detomidine Oromucosal Gel for Alleviation of Acute Anxiety and Fear in Horses: A Pilot Study. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:573309.
- 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.
- Krueger K, Marr I, Dobler A, Palme R. Preservation of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites and immunoglobulin A through silica gel drying for field studies in horses. Conserv Physiol 2019;7(1):coz065.
- Esch L, Wöhr C, Erhard M, Krüger K. Horses' (Equus Caballus) Laterality, Stress Hormones, and Task Related Behavior in Innovative Problem-Solving. Animals (Basel) 2019 May 22;9(5).
- Share ER, Mastellar SL, Suagee-Bedore JK, Eastridge ML. Validation of a Commercial ELISA Kit for Non-Invasive Measurement of Biologically Relevant Changes in Equine Cortisol Concentrations. Animals (Basel) 2024 Oct 1;14(19).
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