Measurement of Salivary Cortisol in Two New World Primate Species

Martina Stocker; Eoin P. O’Sullivan; Rupert Palme; Eva Millesi; Ruth Sonnweber

doi:10.3390/biology12091181

Titel

Measurement of Salivary Cortisol in Two New World Primate Species

Autor*in

Martina Stocker

Department für Verhaltens- und Kognitionsbiologie, Fakultät für Lebenswissenschaften, Universität Wien

Eoin P. O’Sullivan

School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews

Rupert Palme

Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine

... show all

Abstract

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are mammalian steroid hormones involved in a variety of physiological processes, including metabolism, the immune response, and cardiovascular functions. Due to their link to the physiological stress response, GC measurement is a valuable tool for conservation and welfare assessment in animal populations. GC levels can be measured from different matrices, such as urine and feces. Moreover, especially in captive settings, measuring GCs from saliva samples proved particularly useful as those samples can be collected non-invasively and easily from trained animals. Salivary GC levels can be measured using a variety of analytical methods, such as enzyme immunoassays. However, it is crucial to validate the analytical method for each specific application and species when using a new matrix. Using high-pressure liquid chromatography and a cortisol enzyme immunoassay, we show that the main glucocorticoids secreted in the saliva of squirrel monkeys and brown capuchin monkeys are cortisol and cortisone. Our biological validation found the expected salivary cortisol level to decline throughout the day. Our findings support the reliability of salivary cortisol measurements and their potential to be used as a valid tool in research and welfare assessment for these non-human primates.

Stichwort

HPLCenzyme immunoassaysaliva swabglucocorticoidsteroid hormonecapuchin monkeysquirrel monkeySapajus spp.Saimiri sciureus

Objekt-Typ

journal article

Sprache

Englisch [eng]

Persistent identifier

phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:2068818

DOI

10.3390/biology12091181

Erschienen in

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