Optimizing captive short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) fecal sample identification and hormonal analysis.
Zoo Biol
; 42(2): 322-327, 2023 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36074031
ABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to develop a fecal marking protocol to distinguish male from female samples during the echidna breeding season and to determine if normalizing fecal progesterone metabolite data for inorganic content improves the detection of biologically relevant changes in metabolite concentrations. Over a period of 6 weeks, four echidnas were provided with green food coloring powder mixed into 20 g of their regular feed with the dose adjusted weekly by 0.05 g. The proportion of organic (feces) versus inorganic matter (sand) in the fecal samples of three echidnas was determined by combustion of organic matter. Hormonal data was then expressed as metabolite concentration per total dry mass (with sand) of extracted sample versus metabolite concentration per total mass of organic material (without sand). The optimal dose of food coloring powder was 0.30 g this was excreted in the feces of all echidnas within 24 h of consumption with color present for two consecutive days. Correction for inorganic content (sand) did not significantly affect variability of fecal progesterone metabolite levels (mean CV ± SE with sand 142.3 ± 13.3%; without sand 127.0 ± 14.4%; W = 6, p = .2500), or the magnitude of change from basal to elevated fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations (mean ± SE with sand 8.4 ± 1.7; without sand 6.6 ± 0.5, W = 10, p = .1250). Furthermore, progesterone metabolite concentrations before and after correction for sand contamination correlated strongly (r = .92, p = < .001). These methods will facilitate future reproductive endocrinology studies of echidna and other myrmecophagous species.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Tachyglossidae
/
Colorantes de Alimentos
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Zoo Biol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia