SummarySalivary cortisol is a non-invasive and easy-to-assess measure of the activity of the hypotha1amo-pituitary-adrenocortical IHPA) system. Here we report that salivary cortisol determination can be used in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) to monitor variations in HPA system activity induced by both housing and experimental conditions. Saliva cortisol assessment has several advantages over blood cortisol analysis such as stress-free frequent sampling, laboratory independence and lower costs. Therefore, this non-invasive measure can be the method of choice in primatological research projects and routine programmes related to the well-being of these laboratory animals. KeywordsGlucocorticoids; HPA system; primate; squirrel monkey; stress Physical challenges, or psychological perturbations in situations with low predictability, low controllability, and/or novelty, can activate the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPAl system resulting in elevated serum levels of the adrenocortical steroid hormones, cortisol and corticosterone which are thought to be responsible for both adaptational and maladaptational processes to perturbing situations IMunck et al. 1984, de Kloet 1991, Weiner 1992. Cortisol, the predominant corticosteroid in primates, is mostly quantified in plasma or serum. Blood sampling, however, requires the stressfulness of capture and handling of animals together with the aversiveness of venipuncture. Although analysis of urinary cortisol would allow the researcher to avoid many of these problems, this approach is unsatisfactory when information of cortisol levels within short time intervals is
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.