Effects of stress and ACTH on plasma corticosterone levels in the caiman Caiman crocodilus

Gist, Daniel H.; Kaplan, Marvin L.

doi:10.1016/0016-6480(76)90149-0

Cited by 35 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Previous work on wild red‐eared slider turtles ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) noted that there was no change in glucocorticoids in the first 10 minutes of capture, but levels significantly increased within 30 minutes (Cash, Holberton & Knight, ). This lag in glucocorticoid response is consistent with research on other reptiles (Gist & Kaplan, ; Dunlap & Wingfield, ), including free‐living loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta , Gregory et al ., ), captive American alligator ( Alligator mississipiensis ; Lance & Lauren, ; Gregory et al ., ) and wild gopher tortoises ( Gopherus polyphemus ; Ott et al ., ; Kahn, Guyer & Mendonca, ).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Does translocation influence physiological stress in the desert tortoise?

Drake

Nussear

Esque

et al. 2012

Animal Conservation

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Wildlife translocation is increasingly used to mitigate disturbances to animals or habitat due to human activities, yet little is known about the extent to which translocating animals causes stress. To understand the relationship between physiological stress and translocation, we conducted a multiyear study (2007)(2008)(2009) using a population of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) near Fort Irwin, California. Blood samples were collected from adult tortoises in three treatment groups (resident, translocated and control) for 1 year prior to and 2 years after translocation. Samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay for plasma total corticosterone (CORT), a glucocorticoid hormone commonly associated with stress responses in reptiles. CORT values were analyzed in relation to potential covariates (animal sex, date, behavior, treatment, handling time, air temperature, home-range size, precipitation and annual plant production) among seasons and years. CORT values in males were higher than in females, and values for both varied monthly throughout the activity season and among years. Year and sex were strong predictors of CORT, and translocation explained little in terms of CORT. Based on these results, we conclude that translocation does not elicit a physiological stress response in desert tortoises. bs_bs_banner Animal Conservation. Print ISSN 1367-9430 Physiological stress and translocation in tortoises K. K. Drake et al.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Does translocation influence physiological stress in the desert tortoise?

Drake

Nussear

Esque

et al. 2012

Animal Conservation

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“…This seems much higher than values given for crocodilians in the literature, which range from 5 ng/ml in C niloticus (Balment and Loveridge 1989) to 2 ng/ml in American alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis ) (Guillette and others 1997) and 1 ng/ml in saltwater crocodiles (Franklin and others 2003). Corticosterone levels of Caiman ( Caiman crocodylus ) also measured comparatively high at 20 ng/ml (Gist and Kaplan 1976). However, this discrepancy most possibly has to do with different research models and test methods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capture of farmed Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus): comparison of physiological parameters after manual capture and after capture with electrical stunning

et al. 2014

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The electric stunner (e-stunner) is commonly used to handle Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) on commercial farms in South Africa, but while it seems to improve handling and safety for the keepers, no information regarding physiological reactions to e-stunning is currently available. The aim of this study was therefore to compare various physiological parameters in farmed C niloticus captured either manually (noosing) or by using an e-stunner. A total of 45 crocodiles were captured at a South African farm by either e-stunning or noosing, and blood samples were taken immediately as well as four hours after capture. Parameters monitored were serum corticosterone, lactate, glucose, as well as alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase. Lactate concentrations were significantly higher in noosed compared with e-stunned animals (P<0.001). No other blood parameter differed significantly between the two methods of capture. In addition, recorded capture time confirmed that noosing takes significantly longer time compared with e-stunning (P<0.001), overall indicating that e-stunning seems to be the better option for restraint of especially large numbers of crocodiles in a commercial setup because it is quicker, safer and did not cause a significant increase in any of the parameters measured.

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“…In most wild mammals studied, chronic stressors cause animals to be dexamethasone resistant (i.e., GC levels do not decline as far as they should) and, depending on the species, show a hypo-or hyper-GC response to ACTH stimulation (Sapolsky 1983;McDonald et al 1986;Boonstra et al 1998;Sheriff et al 2010a; but see Harlow et al 1992). This protocol or modifications of it has been successfully applied in comparative studies on stress in a wide variety of wildlife species (e.g., lizards, Gist and Kaplan 1976;sparrows, Astheimer et al 1994; snowshoe hares, Boonstra et al 1998Boonstra et al , 2001starlings, Rich and Romero 2005;rheas, Lèche et al 2009). …”

Section: Analysis Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Measuring stress in wildlife: techniques for quantifying glucocorticoids

et al. 2011

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Stress responses play a key role in allowing animals to cope with change and challenge in the face of both environmental certainty and uncertainty. Measurement of glucocorticoid levels, key elements in the neuroendocrine stress axis, can give insight into an animal's well-being and can aid understanding ecological and evolutionary processes as well as conservation and management issues. We give an overview of the four main biological samples that have been utilized [blood, saliva, excreta (feces and urine), and integumentary structures (hair and feathers)], their advantages and disadvantages for use with wildlife, and some of the background and pitfalls that users must consider in interpreting their results. The matrix of choice will depend on the nature of the study and of the species, on whether one is examining the impact of acute versus chronic stressors, and on the degree of invasiveness that is possible or desirable. In some cases, more than one matrix can be measured to achieve the same ends. All require a significant degree of expertise, sometimes in obtaining the sample and always in extracting and analyzing the glucocorticoid or its metabolites. Glucocorticoid measurement is proving to be a powerful integrator of environmental stressors and of an animal's condition.

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Effects of stress and ACTH on plasma corticosterone levels in the caiman Caiman crocodilus

Cited by 35 publications

References 16 publications

Does translocation influence physiological stress in the desert tortoise?

Does translocation influence physiological stress in the desert tortoise?

Capture of farmed Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus): comparison of physiological parameters after manual capture and after capture with electrical stunning

Measuring stress in wildlife: techniques for quantifying glucocorticoids

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