Validation of a Field Technique and Characterization of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Analysis in Wild Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Monitoring adrenocortical activity in wild primate populations is critical, given the well‐documented relationship between stress, health, and reproduction. Although many primate studies have quantified fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, it is imperative that researchers validate...

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Published inAmerican journal of primatology Vol. 75; no. 1; pp. 57 - 64
Main Authors MURRAY, CARSON M., HEINTZ, MATTHEW R., LONSDORF, ELIZABETH V., PARR, LISA A., SANTYMIRE, RACHEL M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2013
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
Subjects
ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Animal populations
Animals
chimpanzee
Chimpanzees
Circadian Rhythm
fecal glucocorticoid metabolites
Feces - chemistry
Female
field methods
Glucocorticoids - metabolism
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Injections, Intramuscular
Male
Metabolites
Pan troglodytes - physiology
Parturition
Primate behaviour
Primate biology
Primatology
Seasons
Species
Stress, Physiological
Tanzania
Tanzania
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Summary:Monitoring adrenocortical activity in wild primate populations is critical, given the well‐documented relationship between stress, health, and reproduction. Although many primate studies have quantified fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, it is imperative that researchers validate their method for each species. Here, we describe and validate a technique for field extraction and storage of FGMs in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Our method circumvents many of the logistical challenges associated with field studies while yielding similar results to a commonly used laboratory method. We further validate that our method accurately reflects stress physiology using an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge in a captive chimpanzee and an FGM peak at parturition in a wild subject. Finally, we quantify circadian patterns for FGMs for the first time in this species. Understanding these patterns may allow researchers to directly link specific events with the stress response. Am. J. Primatol. 75:57‐64, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bibliography:ArticleID:AJP22078
Leakey Foundation
Guthman Foundation
NSFGRF
ark:/67375/WNG-QNF2WH1S-C
istex:051BEE168718DCB6D9566AE8917745FCF25CDF78
Wenner-Gren Foundation
National Institutes of Health - No. K99HD057992-02
Davee Foundation
The first two authors contributed equally to the manuscript.Contract grant sponsor: National Institutes of Health; Contract grant number: K99HD057992‐02; Contract grant sponsor: Davee Foundation; Contract grant sponsor: Guthman Foundation; Contract grant sponsor: Leakey Foundation; Contract grant sponsor: Wenner‐Gren Foundation; Contract grant sponsor: NSFGRF.
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Contributed equally to the manuscript
ISSN:0275-2565
1098-2345
1098-2345
DOI:10.1002/ajp.22078