RT Journal Article
T1 Preliminary Findings on How Different Management Systems and Social Interactions Influence Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)
A1 Martínez, Leticia
A1 Silván Granado, Gema
A1 Cáceres Ramos, Sara Cristina
A1 Caperos, Jose Manuel
A1 Fernández-Morán, Jesús
A1 Casares, Miguel
A1 Crespo, Belén
A1 Andrés Gamazo, Paloma Jimena de
A1 Illera Del Portal, Juan Carlos
AB White rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) are the most social and gregarious species of all rhinoceroses known worldwide. One of the most critical effects of elevated glucocorticoid concentrations, especially in threatened species, is its relation to chronic stress, which could potentially lead to immunosuppression and reduced reproductive activity. Our aim is to determine how different social environments and management systems might be influencing the secretion of fecal glucocorticoids in white rhinoceroses. We have analyzed the concentration of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in 658 fecal samples from 14 white rhinoceroses, seven free-ranging rhinos, and seven rhinos from two different managed captive populations. HPLC techniques were used to determine the main glucocorticoid metabolite found in this species, and a competitive EIA was used to establish fecal 5α-pregnan-3 3β, 11β, 21-triol-20-oneglucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels. Our results reveal that management systems and social interactions had an influence on fGCM levels, suggesting that the more restrictive the management and social conditions are, the higher the glucocorticoid concentrations that are found. Additionally, sex was also found to influence fGCM levels, as in females, fGCM concentrations were higher than in males. We conclude that the analysis of glucocorticoids in relation to other factors is a powerful tool to assess adrenocortical response in white rhinoceros in order to broaden the knowledge of their reproductive biology and improve the management of the species.
PB MDPI
YR 2022
FD 2022-03-31
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/113316
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/113316
LA eng
NO Martínez, L.; Silván, G.; Cáceres, S.; Caperos, J.M.; Fernández-Morán, J.; Casares, M.; Crespo, B.; de Andrés, P.J.; Illera, J.C. Preliminary Findings on How Different Management Systems and Social Interactions Influence Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Animals 2022, 12, 897. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ani12070897
DS Docta Complutense
RD 26 abr 2025