Faecal glucocorticoid metabolites as a measure of adrenocortical activity in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

• Main Authors: Hein, Anna, Palme, Rupert, Baumgartner, Katrin, Fersen, Lorenzo Von, Woelfing, Benno, Greenwood, Alex D., Bechshoft, Thea, Siebert, Ursula
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Freie Universität Berlin 2020
• Subjects: biological validation; EIA; faecal glucocorticoid metabolites; non-invasive HPA axis assessment; stress; Ursusmaritimus; 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften610 Medizin und Gesundheit616 Krankheiten; 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik590 Tiere Zoologie590 Tiere Zoologie; Eia; Ursus maritimus
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17169/refubium-27345; https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/27591

Analysis of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) is frequently applied to assess adrenocortical activity in animal conservation and welfare studies. Faecal sample collection is non-invasive and feasible under field conditions. FGM levels are also less prone to circadian rhythms, episodic fluctua...