Non‐invasive assessment of adrenocortical function as a measure of stress in the endangered golden langur

Abstract

The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) is an endangered primate endemic to northern India and Bhutan. The main stressors to the species are habitat degradation and fragmentation. Non-invasive fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) analysis is a powerful tool for assessing stress associated with environmental disturbances in wildlife. However, interspecific differences in glucocorticoid metabolism require careful selection of the antibody used in their quantification. The goals of this study were to: 1) validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to determine fecal GC metabolite (fGCM) concentrations in the golden langur and 2) compare fGCM concentrations between golden langurs living under different environmental conditions. We compared five enzyme immunoassays for determining stress related physiological responses in golden langurs by performing an adrenocorticotropic stimulation test in both sexes. Our validations identified an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone EIA detecting 11, 17 dioxoandrostanes as the most suitable assay for monitoring adrenocortical activity in the species. FGCM concentrations from semi-captive temple langurs were significantly higher than respective stress steroid concentrations in free-ranging or pet/zoo langurs. This study presents a validated practical method for non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical function in this rare and declining species.

A meta‐analysis of anthropogenic impacts on physiological stress in wild primates

“…Tourism had no overall significant effect, despite being linked to elevated GC levels in golden langurs (Trachypithecus geei) (Sarmah et al 2017), black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) (Behie et al 2010), and western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) (Shutt et al 2014). In many sites, tourism is intrusive and requires primates to modify their behavior.…”

Non-Invasive Assessment of the Seasonal Stress Response to Veterinary Procedures and Transportation of Zoo-Housed Lesser Anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla)

“…Above all, faecal samples offer the advantage of an easy stress-free collection without the need for animal handling, and measured metabolites reflect adrenocortical activity over longer periods. For this reason, there has been an increase in the analysis of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in zoos and wildlife facilities, e.g., [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Habituation of common eland (Taurotragus oryx) to intensive routine handling, and the effect of immunocastration thereon

“…All faecal samples were frozen at -20 °C, until they were freeze-dried using lyophilization, after which they were pulverized, and sieved (1 mm sieve) to remove undigested material. Steroid extraction followed the methodology of Sarmah et al (2017). For each sample, 0.100 -0.110 g of faecal powder was extracted by adding 3 mL of 80 % ethanol, vortexing the suspension for 15 min, and then centrifuging it at 1500 RCF for 10 min.…”