Development of a versatile enzyme immunoassay for non-invasive assessment of glucocorticoid metabolites in a diversity of taxonomic species

Parasites, stress and reindeer: infection with abomasal nematodes is not associated with elevated glucocorticoid levels in hair or faeces

“…(2011), whereby significant increases in faecal GC levels were observed post-adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) challenge using both cortisol and corticosterone assays with similar cross-reactivities to the enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) used in the present study. The cross-reactivities of our cortisol and corticosterone assays are 100% to the parent hormone and <5 or <1% with other GCs, respectively (Young et al ., 2001; Watson et al ., 2013). Glucocorticoid extraction from faeces was done as recommended by Palme (2005).…”

Domesticated horses differ in their behavioural and physiological responses to isolated and group housing

“…The corticosterone antiserum CJM006 cross reactives are published elsewhere (Watson et al 2013) and the intra-and inter-assay coefficients of variation for the corticosterone assay were 7.52 and 6.33% (C1 and C2) and 8.66 and 10.47% (C1 and C2) respectively.…”

Concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in Asian elephant's dung are stable for up to 8 h in a tropical environment

“…(2002) and described elsewhere (Watson et al ., 2013; Edwards et al ., 2014), whereby 0.5 g of faecal matter was extracted with 5 ml of 90% methanol, shaken overnight, dried and reconstituted in 1 ml of 100% methanol, and stored at −20°C until being analysed with a corticosterone enzyme immunoassay (CJM006; supplied by Coralie Munro, University of California Davis, CA, USA). The assay has been biologically and biochemically validated for use in Asian elephants (Watson et al ., 2013).…”

“…Faecal endocrinology has important applications for wildlife conservation because it facilitates the non-invasive monitoring of adrenal activity in wild animal populations (Wasser et al ., 2000; Möstl and Palme, 2002; Sheriff et al ., 2011; Watson et al ., 2013). The concentration of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) is a reliable indicator of biologically active (‘free’) glucocorticoid metabolites circulating in an animal's body over a period of time and, importantly, wildlife faeces are easier to collect than other biological samples, such as blood, saliva or urine (Möstl and Palme, 2002; Touma and Palme, 2005).…”

“…Studies of fGCMs have been conducted to investigate a number of conservation-related questions for a range of wildlife species, including African elephants ( Loxodonta sp. ; Gobush et al ., 2008; Viljoen et al ., 2008; Pinter-Wollman et al ., 2009; Ganswindt et al ., 2010) and Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ; Laws et al ., 2007; Fanson et al ., 2013; Watson et al ., 2013). …”