Non-invasive endocrine monitoring in the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) using faecal samples.

Abstract

Four aardwolves (two males and two females) in South Africa were studied to indentify a suitable test system for assessing gonadal and adrenocortical endocrine function based on faecal analysis during four months. It was possible to determine the following classes of hormones in the faeces of aardwolves: androgen, progestagen, estrogen and glucocorticoid metabolites. For androgen and progestagen metabolites a significant difference between the females and males was measured. For a physiological validation of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, two aardwolves were darted and injected with exogenous ACTH. The GCM levels in the feaces increased significantly within respectively 3-20 hours after the injection. This ACTH challenge showed that the measured feacal glucocorticoid metabolites were relevant indicators of adrenal activity in aardwolves. It can therefore be useful as a non-invasive tool for measuring a physiological stress response non-invasively in this species.