Non-invasive assessment of glucocorticoid and androgen metabolite levels in cooperatively breeding Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis)

General and Comparative Endocrinology
Katarina MedgerA Ganswindt

Abstract

Dominant females of cooperative breeding species often use aggression to suppress reproduction of subordinate females, resulting in subordinates experiencing stress-related increases in glucocorticoid levels, which may cause reproductive down-regulation. This would suggest a general pattern with higher glucocorticoid levels in subordinate compared to dominant individuals; however, the opposite was found in a number of cooperatively breeding species. Furthermore, breeding females of the cooperatively breeding Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) exhibit very high androgen concentrations during the wet season, presumably to support their breeding monopoly. Hormone analysis in Damaraland mole-rats have typically been measured using plasma and urine, but faecal analysis offers additional advantages especially for field studies on this species. The present study examines the suitability of Damaraland mole-rat faecal samples for determining glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) and androgen metabolite (fAM) concentrations using enzyme immunoassays. Using these assays, we further evaluated the effects of breeding status on fGCM and fAM concentrations in wild-caught and captive Damaraland mole-rats. Wild-caught breeding and non-breedin...Continue Reading

References

May 4, 1984·Science·J Axelrod, T D Reisine
Dec 24, 1997·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·C G FaulkesJ U Jarvis
Jun 14, 2000·Animal Reproduction Science·H Dobson, R F Smith
Jun 24, 2000·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·A J Molteno, N C Bennett
Apr 24, 2001·General and Comparative Endocrinology·A M MossS L Monfort
Apr 2, 2002·Veterinary Research Communications·E MöstlR Palme
Jul 27, 2002·Domestic Animal Endocrinology·E Möstl, R Palme
Feb 28, 2003·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Chadi ToumaRupert Palme
Oct 14, 2003·Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·Nadja Wielebnowski
Jul 17, 2004·Hormones and Behavior·Anne A CarlsonTim Clutton-Brock
Aug 2, 2005·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Chadi Touma, Rupert Palme
May 3, 2006·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Kathleen E HuntSamuel K Wasser
Aug 9, 2006·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Andrew J YoungTim Clutton-Brock
Dec 21, 2007·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·L Michael RomeroJohn C Wingfield
Mar 14, 2009·Hormones and Behavior·Rebecca M Calisi, George E Bentley
Mar 28, 2009·Biology Letters·Andrew J Young, Steven L Monfort
Nov 12, 2009·Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry·Cheryl D Conrad
Feb 24, 2011·Oecologia·Michael J SheriffRudy Boonstra
Jan 3, 2012·Hormones and Behavior·Marie-France BarretteAndrew F Russell
Jul 31, 2012·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Freya van KesterenMonique Paris
Aug 31, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Lynn B MartinAndrea L Liebl
Apr 16, 2013·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Heike LutermannNigel C Bennett
Oct 30, 2013·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Andrew J Young, Nigel C Bennett
Jul 30, 2014·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Stefanie B GanswindtAndre Ganswindt
Dec 15, 2015·The American Naturalist·Andrew J YoungNigel C Bennett
Oct 19, 2016·Scientific Reports·Charli S DaviesChristine M Drea

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 20, 2021·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Angela R Freeman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.