Effect of housing and environmental enrichment on adrenocortical activity, behavior and reproductive cyclicity in the female tigrina (Leopardus tigrinus) and margay (Leopardus wiedii)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different captive housing conditions on reproductive cyclicity and adrenocortical activity in adult females of two small-sized felid species, the tigrina (Leopardus tigrinus; n 5 3) and margay (Leopardus wiedii; n 5 2). Females were housed as singletons and subjected to three enclosure conditions over successive time periods: Phase I-large, enriched enclosures for 3 months; Phase II-small, empty enclosures for 5.5 months; Phase III-the same small enclosures enriched with branches and nest boxes for 6.5 months. Fecal samples were collected five times weekly throughout the study for analysis of progestagen, estrogen, and corticoid metabolites. On the basis of observed behaviors, stereotypic pacing was more frequent before feeding for all cats, regardless of enclosure conditions. Both species displayed a bimodal activity pattern, with peaks occurring at nightfall and dawn. All animals exhibited behavior, characterized by a high frequency and duration of stereotypic pacing, primarily during the first 3 days after moving to the small empty enclosures. On the basis of hormonal analyses, ovarian follicular activity decreased and corticoid concentrations increased in tigrinas after transfer to the small barren cages compared to the patterns observed in the initial large, enriched enclosures. Corticoid concentrations in tigrinas then declined after small cage enrichment. Margay females exhibited increased corticoid excretion during Phases II and III, but in contrast to tigrinas, concentrations remained high even after cage enrichment. It was further showed that enriching the small enclosures was insufficient to reestablish normal ovarian activity within the time frame of the study for both species. In summary, margay and tigrina females exhibited distinct elevations in corticoid concentrations after transfer from large enriched enclosures to smaller barren cages that corresponded with agitated behavior, especially immediately after transfer. Fecal corticoid concentrations were reduced after cage enrichment in tigrinas, but not in margays. Although only a few individuals were evaluated, data suggest there may be species differences in response to captive environmental conditions. Overall results emphasize the importance of enclosure dimensions and enrichment when designing species appropriate environments for improving the health and reproductive fitness of threatened species. Zool Biol 26: 441-460, 2007.

The effect of visitor number and spice provisioning in pacing expression by jaguars evaluated through a case study

“…Alternatively, the reduced size of the enclosure could be operating in consort with public exposure, thereby enhancing pacing expression. Although some of the current available data lack statistical treatment, evidences suggest that confinement in enclosures leading to restricted movement may be harmful for felids (Bashaw et al, 2007;Moreira et al, 2007;Szokalski et al, 2012). For example, tigers housed in small enclosures paced more frequently than those in larger enclosures (Bashaw et al, 2007).…”

“…While there is little doubt about the effectiveness of environmental enrichment on reducing stereotypic and abnormal behavior, the remaining challenge has been to determine suitable enrichment models for a given species. Different models have been introduced to felid enclosures, varying from novel food items or olfactory stimuli (Mellen and Shepherdson, 1997;McPhee, 2006;Bashaw et al, 2003;Wells and Egli, 2004;Skibiel et al, 2007;Quirke and O'Riordan, 2011;Resende et al, 2011) to objects or physical toys (Moreira et al, 2007). Until recently the provisioning of novel scents as enrichment alternatives for felids had been overlooked when compared to food items (Skibiel et al, 2007).…”

Excretion of Steroid Hormones in Rodents: An Overview on Species Differences for New Biomedical Animal Research Models

“…According to recent reviews, it seems that this approach, noninvasive monitoring, will be utilized more than ever when well-focused endocrine issues are addressed and some steroids are involved (Palme and Möstl, 2002;Pukazhenthi and Wildt, 2004;Palme, 2005;Schwarzenberger, 2007). In fact, international programs have trained science students, especially researches from Latin American PhD programs (Swanson and Brown, 2004) Busso et al (2005a, Ponzio et al (2004) in Argentina, of Brousset Hernández-Jauregui et al (2005) in Mexico, and of Moreira et al (2007) in Brazil. Similarly, new studies fully developed in traditionally called developing countries are clear evidence of the usefulness of this non-invasive approach (Leche et al, 2009(Leche et al, , 2011.…”

Effect of Breed, Cage Type, and Reproductive Phase on Fecal Corticosterone Levels in Doe Rabbits

“…Nevertheless, some of these confounding effects are attenuated when glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) in fecal samples are assayed instead as a measure of systemic GC because feces sampling is not an invasive procedure and the effect of acute stressors is minimized (Palme, Rettenbacher, Touma, El-Bahr, & Mostl, 2005;Touma et al, 2004). Living space allowance can also influence GC levels in the blood (Barnett et al, 1992;Gupta et al, 2007;Villagra et al, 2009), although this effect may be species-specific (Buijs, Keeling, Rettenbacker, Van Poucke, & Tuyttens, 2009;Moreira, Brown, Moraes, Swanson, & Monteiro, 2007).…”