Non-invasive monitoring of fecal androgens in spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). 2004

Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, 203 Natural Sciences, East Lansing, MI 48824-1115, USA. dloniaks@msu.edu

Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) exhibit an array of behavioral and morphological characteristics that set them apart from other mammals: females are heavier and more aggressive than males, and females have external genitalia that closely resemble those of the male. Because androgenic hormones might mediate the expression of these traits, androgens are of great interest in this species. Past work on circulating androgens in wild hyenas has been limited, in part because of small sample sizes. In this study we validated a non-invasive method of monitoring variation in androgens by measuring total androgen metabolites in the feces of wild and captive spotted hyenas with an enzyme immunoassay. HPLC analysis revealed multiple immunoreactive androgen metabolites in fecal extracts from both males and females. LHRH challenge in three male and two female hyenas in captivity caused an increase in fecal androgens one to three days after LHRH injection. Furthermore, presence of bone in the diet did not affect fecal androgen concentrations in captive female hyenas. In wild spotted hyenas, time of day of fecal deposition, time elapsed between deposition and freezing of the sample, and time elapsed between freezing and extraction did not systematically affect fecal androgen concentrations. Finally, in wild hyenas, fecal androgen patterns mirrored plasma testosterone patterns in that adult immigrant males had higher concentrations than adult natal males, and pregnant females had higher concentrations than lactating females. These methods can therefore be used in future studies addressing relationships among fecal androgens, social status, reproductive state, and behavior in spotted hyenas.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007987 Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone A decapeptide that stimulates the synthesis and secretion of both pituitary gonadotropins, LUTEINIZING HORMONE and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE. GnRH is produced by neurons in the septum PREOPTIC AREA of the HYPOTHALAMUS and released into the pituitary portal blood, leading to stimulation of GONADOTROPHS in the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND. FSH-Releasing Hormone,GnRH,Gonadoliberin,Gonadorelin,LH-FSH Releasing Hormone,LHRH,Luliberin,Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone,Cystorelin,Dirigestran,Factrel,Gn-RH,Gonadorelin Acetate,Gonadorelin Hydrochloride,Kryptocur,LFRH,LH-RH,LH-Releasing Hormone,LHFSH Releasing Hormone,LHFSHRH,FSH Releasing Hormone,Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone,LH FSH Releasing Hormone,LH Releasing Hormone,Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone,Releasing Hormone, LHFSH
D008297 Male Males
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D001842 Bone and Bones A specialized CONNECTIVE TISSUE that is the main constituent of the SKELETON. The principal cellular component of bone is comprised of OSTEOBLASTS; OSTEOCYTES; and OSTEOCLASTS, while FIBRILLAR COLLAGENS and hydroxyapatite crystals form the BONE MATRIX. Bone Tissue,Bone and Bone,Bone,Bones,Bones and Bone,Bones and Bone Tissue,Bony Apophyses,Bony Apophysis,Condyle,Apophyses, Bony,Apophysis, Bony,Bone Tissues,Condyles,Tissue, Bone,Tissues, Bone
D002335 Carnivora An order of MAMMALS, usually flesh eaters with appropriate dentition. Suborders include the terrestrial carnivores Fissipedia, and the aquatic carnivores CANIFORMIA.
D004032 Diet Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal. Diets
D005243 Feces Excrement from the INTESTINES, containing unabsorbed solids, waste products, secretions, and BACTERIA of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
D005260 Female Females
D000728 Androgens Compounds that interact with ANDROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of TESTOSTERONE. Depending on the target tissues, androgenic effects can be on SEX DIFFERENTIATION; male reproductive organs, SPERMATOGENESIS; secondary male SEX CHARACTERISTICS; LIBIDO; development of muscle mass, strength, and power. Androgen,Androgen Receptor Agonist,Androgen Effect,Androgen Effects,Androgen Receptor Agonists,Androgenic Agents,Androgenic Compounds,Agents, Androgenic,Agonist, Androgen Receptor,Agonists, Androgen Receptor,Compounds, Androgenic,Effect, Androgen,Effects, Androgen,Receptor Agonist, Androgen,Receptor Agonists, Androgen
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

Related Publications

Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
June 1999, General and comparative endocrinology,
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
February 2001, Hormones and behavior,
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
June 1998, Journal of comparative psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983),
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
January 2008, General and comparative endocrinology,
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
July 2020, Current microbiology,
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
August 2006, Hormones and behavior,
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
September 1992, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Comparative physiology,
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
January 1997, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
January 2018, Brain, behavior and evolution,
Stephanie M Dloniak, and Jeffrey A French, and Ned J Place, and Mary L Weldele, and Stephen E Glickman, and Kay E Holekamp
June 1991, Journal of comparative psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983),
Copied contents to your clipboard!