Monitoring of Cortisol Levels in Hog Deer with Varying Environment Exposure

Pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) are endangered New World primates, and in captivity appear to be very susceptible to stress. We measured cortisol in 214 saliva samples from 36 tamarins and in 227 fecal samples from 27 tamarins, and investigated the effects of age, sex, pregnancy, rearing history, social status, weight, group composition, and enclosure type using generalized linear mixed models. There was no effect of age on either fecal or salivary cortisol levels. Female pied tamarins in late pregnancy had higher fecal cortisol levels than those in early pregnancy, or nonpregnant females, but there was no effect of pregnancy on salivary cortisol. Females had higher salivary cortisol levels than males, but there was no effect of rearing history. However, for fecal cortisol, there was an interaction between sex and rearing history. Hand-reared tamarins overall had higher fecal cortisol levels, but while male parent-reared tamarins had higher levels than females who were parent-reared, the reverse was true for hand-reared individuals. There was a trend towards lower fecal cortisol levels in subordinate individuals, but no effect of status on salivary cortisol. Fecal but not salivary cortisol levels declined with increasing weight. We found little effect of group composition on cortisol levels in either saliva or feces, suggesting that as long as tamarins are housed socially, the nature of the group is of less importance. However, animals in off-show enclosures had higher salivary and fecal cortisol levels than individuals housed on-show. We suggest that large on-show enclosures with permanent access to off-exhibit areas may compensate for the effects of visitor disturbance, and a larger number of tamarins of the same species housed close together may explain the higher cortisol levels found in tamarins living in off-show accommodation, but further research is needed.

Sociability indicates the variances of affinity and solitary among animals and it is strongly correlated with cortisol levels. This study was conducted in 2020, from September 16th to October 15th, at the Zhuanglang Musk Deer Farm in Gansu Province of China. We recorded behaviours of 41 captive Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) (in 12 enclosures) using the integrated methods of focal sampling and all occurrence recording for sociability analysis, while non-invasive sampling methods and radioimmunoassay were used to collect and measure faecal cortisol level. The relationship between the sociability of captive Alpine musk deer and faecal cortisol hormone was analysed. The results showed that the sociability of captive Alpine musk deer was 14.754% (± 3.026%) (n=41). Individuals in high-density enclosures (19.090% ± 4.497%, n=26) were significantly more sociable as compared to those in low-density enclosures (7.979% ± 2.640%, n=15; P=0.011). The cortisol level of Alpine musk deer was 109.215 (± 5.349) ng/g (n=41). The cortisol level of female individuals (120.419 ± 11.103 ng/g, n=14) was significantly higher than that of male individuals (103.406 ± 5.575 ng/g, n=27; P=0.008). The male musk deer in high sociability (44.114% ± 9.364%, n=8) had lower faecal cortisol levels (102.415 ± 14.885 ng/g, n=8) than those in low sociability (5.518% ± 1.369%, n=19) (103.823 ± 5.243 ng/g, n=19), however these differences were not significant (P=0.911). The female musk deer in high sociability (20.556% ± 2.174%, n=3) had significantly lower (P=0.035) faecal cortisol levels (77.018 ± 17.036 ng/g, n=3) than those in low sociability (7.773% ± 1.595%, n=11) (132.256 ± 11.079 ng/g, n=11), which could be related to maternal care and weaning period. It is suggested that the enclosing density should be increased to improve captive Alpine musk deer’s (especially female musk deer) sociability in the domestication of musk deer.

Hog deer (Axis porcinus) are among the rarest animals in the world and are listed as "Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Protected areas in Nepal are home to large and stable populations of hog deer relative to other parts of hog deer range, but changes in predator abundance, human activities, and climate change could alter hog deer abundance. Reliable and efficient methods to assess hog deer population trends are therefore essential to monitor changes over time. Combined with data on population numbers, support from local communities towards hog deer conservation is important in identifying key threats and developing appropriate conservation strategies. Accordingly, this research integrated natural and social sciences to evaluate density estimation methods and community support for hog deer conservation within Shuklaphanta National Park (SNP), Nepal. Distance sampling along line transects is a common and relatively simple approach used to monitor hog deer populations in Nepal. Recent advances in technology, however, have enabled alternative approaches using data from remote-sensing cameras. Knowledge of the effectiveness of these two approaches could inform future monitoring efforts. Accordingly, I compared two methods for estimating the density of hog deer: distance sampling along line transects (n=17) and a random encounter model (REM) applied to data from remote-sensing cameras (n = 30). The density estimate produced by distance sampling (33.58 ± 8.48 individuals per km²) was more than double the estimate produced using the REM (12.95 ± 0.04 individuals per km²). Of the two methods, the estimate from the REM was more aligned with previous estimates of hog deer density. In addition, camera surveys facilitated the collection of data on multiple species, behaviour, and habitat use compared with line transects. However, despite requiring almost same amount of time for data collection, camera surveys proved to be more costly. These findings highlight the need for a comparison of these density estimation methods with established techniques such as mark-recapture or block counts, coupled with expanded survey efforts to assess the accuracy of estimates. To assess community support for hog deer conservation, I worked with research assistants to interview residents (n=30) from municipalities in the buffer zone surrounding SNP. Interview participants were knowledgeable about deer as a species group, but half of participants did not distinguish hog deer from other deer species. Most participants expressed positive attitudes towards hog deer conservation, especially in the context of promoting the local tourism economy around wildlife viewing. Participants explained that crop damage from deer has been largely mitigated by current management practices, such as fencing, but that additional fencing would further reduce conflicts. My findings revealed opportunities for collaboration between park managers and communities within the buffer zone, particularly around the development of the wildlife tourism industry and the design of management approaches such as fencing. Combined, my research provides guidance for future research and education efforts targeted at hog deer conservation.

Study question How anxiety and stress questionnaires punctuations and endometrial steroid biosynthesis metabolites levels are associated with embryo implantation and pregnancy outcomes in IVF patients? Summary answer Those patients with high cortisol and low estradiol endometrial levels, were stressed according to STAI State punctuations and showed lower rates of implantation and pregnancy. What is known already Although IVF treatments are known to be a source of stress, its relevance in reproductive success remains controversial, mainly due to the lack of accurate biomarkers. Steroid hormones, such as progesterone and estrogens, are essential for reproductive physiology, and directly related to common stress biomarkers such as cortisol. Nowadays, clinical stress evaluation is exclusively performed via highly subjective psychological questionnaires, not being standardized in the clinical setting. In this study, we measured endometrial levels of main steroid hormones -including cortisol-, stress psychological questionnaires, and reproductive outcomes for determining the relationship among potential stress biomarkers and their influence on fertility. Study design, size, duration In this prospective cohort study, a total of 55 IVF patients were included (<45 years old, no uterine or systemic pathologies and good quality embryos). All endometrial biopsies were collected in mid-secretory phase for metabolites measurement between 2019 and 2021. Also, these patients were psychologically evaluated by stress related questionnaires the same day of biopsy collection or days later in the same cycle. Reproductive outcomes were compared between groups established according to stress biomarkers thresholds. Participants/materials, setting, methods Concentration of eleven selected steroid metabolites was measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A psychological questionnaire was also assessed to measure patients’ stress and anxiety (STAI). According to metabolites’ concentration distribution, Barnard’s test was applied to compare the proportion of patients with successful and unsuccessful treatments at different thresholds. A Wilcoxon test was performed for mean metabolites’ levels comparison between stressed and unstressed patients. A p-value of 0.05 was stablished as significant. Main results and the role of chance All patients with high endometrial cortisol levels (>12.5 ng/g; n = 3) failed to implant (100% vs 45.8% non-implanted in > 12.5 ng/g and <12.5 ng/g patients respectively, p-value=0.047), while the totality of patients with high endometrial estradiol levels (>0.9 ng/g; n = 5) achieved embryo implantation and on-going pregnancy (100% vs 50% implanted in > 0.9 ng/g and <0.9 ng/g patients respectively, p-value=0.038). Those patients with high cortisol levels, all not pregnant, had also low estradiol levels and high stress state punctuation (STAI State punctuations ≥ 60). Conversely, patients with high estradiol levels, all pregnant, had also low cortisol levels and were not stressed (STAI State punctuations < 60). Stratification of patients into stressed (STAI State>60) and unstressed (STAI State<60) independently of their implantation results, revealed that 27% of stressed women presented high cortisol levels, while 100% of unstressed patients had low cortisol levels. In the same way, 42% of unstressed patients had high estradiol levels, while 100% of stressed patients presented low estradiol values. Hence, mean values differences of cortisol (10.54 vs 3.05 ng/g) and estradiol (0.55 vs 4.10 ng/g) between stressed and unstressed patients were not significant (p-value=0.08862 and p-value=0.2327, respectively). No relevant associations were observed with stress as a trait. Limitations, reasons for caution Due to the heterogeneous and non-normal metabolites’ concentration distribution among patients, this study would need a largest sample size for having a representative population in the different subgroups. Although we have used molecular and psychological validated stress biomarkers, a causal relationship between stress and reproductive outcomes should be further explored. Wider implications of the findings This study highlighted cortisol and estradiol as potential endometrial biomarkers that better reflect pregnancy prognosis. Further investigation is needed to find if other psychological questionnaires molecularly recognize stressed patients as a noninvasive diagnosis associated to reproductive outcomes. These patients would benefit from psychological counseling to improve their reproductive success. Trial registration number Not applicable

Context A wild population of non-native hog deer has established in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, and there is particular concern about its impact on native vegetation in Wilsons Promontory National Park (WPNP). Since 2015, there has been annual culling of hog deer at WPNP to reduce deer abundances and impacts. Aims The aims of this study were to use a kinship approach based on genotyping to assess contemporary dispersal of hog deer across WPNP, by identifying close kin, to determine whether dispersal of deer into culled sites from unculled sites may affect the long-term success of management there. Differences in the dispersal of male and female hog deer were also investigated. Methods In total, 91 hog deer tissue samples were collected across WPNP and surrounding sites. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were sequenced, and a final dataset comprising 8275 SNPs was used for analysis. First-order, second-order, and intermediate relative pairs were identified, and the geographic distance between these pairs was assessed to determine inter-pair distances to infer dispersal. Spatial autocorrelation between male and female samples was evaluated to measure the effects of sex-biased dispersal. Key results Only seven second-order relative pairs were found across different sites, with a 30 km distance between the furthest pair observed. However, most inter-pair distances across sites were ~5–10 km. Analyses of sex-biased dispersal showed that movement by deer was not strongly influenced by one sex. Conclusions Although hog deer in WPNP are genetically similar, most relatives that were sampled were not widely dispersed. This suggests that there is limited dispersal of hog deer across this park. Implications Recolonisation of hog deer at culled sites via dispersal is likely to be infrequent in WPNP. Kinship analysis provides an effective method of assessing contemporary dispersal and could be applied to other species to assess fine-scale movement across landscapes.

Elemental characterization of antlers of various deer species using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF): A tool for forensic examination

Hog Deer (Axis porcinus), the rarest of Sri Lanka’s four deer species, is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in the 2012 National Red List of Sri Lanka. Despite its status, the species has been studied very little within the country. This study, therefore, seeks to evaluate the current conservation status of the Hog Deer in the Galle District. The research was conducted over the course of one year, from December 1st, 2021 to December 1st, 2022. A total of 246 randomly selected participants from seven divisional secretariats in the Galle District were surveyed using a questionnaire. Recent observations recorded 306 adult Hog Deer and 22 fawns. Over a span of one and a half years, 27 injured and disabled Hog Deer were brought to the Hiyare Biodiversity Education and Research Center. They are restricted to human-modified landscapes, which they utilize on a seasonal basis. The survey documented 175 confirmed Hog Deer locations. Their habitat is limited to a small region in the Galle District, between the Bentota and Gin rivers. Hog Deer is known to cause damage to three crop types: Cinnamomum verum, Oryza sativa, and various vegetables, with Cinnamomum verum being the most frequently damaged plant. However, both the questionnaire survey and crop damage assessments indicated that the damage to cinnamon was minimal. The Hog Deer face significant threats within their range in the Galle District. Therefore, community-based conservation programs, along with institutional involvement, are essential for ensuring the survival of this charismatic species in its last remaining stronghold.

We have previously demonstrated that girls with anorexia nervosa (AN) have higher levels of GH and cortisol and lower levels of estradiol than healthy adolescents. The effects of endocrine alterations on regional body composition in AN, however, have not been reported. We, therefore, enrolled 23 adolescent girls with AN and 20 healthy girls of comparable maturity in a study examining regional body composition. Levels of estradiol and IGF-I, as well as measures of GH and cortisol concentration (using cluster analysis of data obtained from frequent sampling q30' for 12 h overnight) were examined to determine hormonal determinants of regional body composition in adolescent girls with AN and controls. Girls with AN were followed for 1 yr and examined again at weight recovery (10% increase in body mass index) (n = 11). Percent trunk fat and trunk to extremity fat ratio (T/E fat) were significantly reduced in girls with AN compared with healthy adolescents (P = 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). Percent trunk lean mass and trunk to extremity lean mass ratio (T/E lean) were higher in AN than in controls (P = 0.01 and 0.009); percent extremity lean mass was lower in AN (P = 0.009). In healthy controls, total area under the curve (AUC) for GH correlated inversely with percent trunk fat and T/E fat (r = -0.66, P = 0.002 and r = -0.62, P = 0.003). Similar correlations were observed between other measures of GH concentration (mean and nadir) and percent trunk fat and T/E fat. No relationship was observed between GH concentration and regional lean mass or between cortisol concentration and regional body composition. In contrast, GH concentration did not predict regional body composition in adolescents with AN on regression analysis. However, nadir cortisol concentration correlated inversely with percent extremity lean mass (r = -0.49; P = 0.02) and positively with percent trunk lean mass and T/E lean (r = 0.48, P = 0.03; and r = 0.49, P = 0.02) in girls with AN. A similar trend was observed between other measures of cortisol concentration (mean cortisol and AUC) and percent trunk lean mass and T/E lean in AN. Trunk fat was lowest in girls with AN who had high GH but low cortisol levels (based on median values), whereas some preservation of trunk fat was observed in girls with low GH and high cortisol levels. Weight recovery occurred in seven of 11 girls with low GH and high cortisol values; however, only two of the nine girls with high GH and low cortisol recovered weight. High GH with lower cortisol levels may thus be a marker of greater severity of AN. Our results suggest that in healthy controls, GH concentration predicts regional body composition and favors a redistribution of body fat such that T/E fat ratio decreases. In AN, however, high levels of GH and cortisol have contrasting associations with fat mass. High cortisol levels in AN predict a redistribution of lean body mass such that extremity lean mass decreases. Further studies are necessary to better understand the implications of these data.

Plasma Cortisol, Brain Amyloid-β, and Cognitive Decline in Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease: A 6-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Thyroid and adrenal functions were evaluated in 49 consecutive critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, TX. On admission, severity of illness was assessed by Acute Physiological Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) scores. Thyrotropin Stimulating hormone (TSH) measured with a sensitive assay, thyroxine (T4), tri-iodothyronine (T3), T3 resin uptake, and Cortisol levels were measured on the first MICU day at 8 am, and results were assessed based on ability to predict mortality. It was shown that severe hypothyroxinemia (T4 < 3 μg/dL) was associated with a 75% mortality as opposed to a mortality rate of 19% in patients with a T4 level of 3 μg/dL or more ( p < 0.01), and a high 8 am Cortisol level (>30 μg/mL) was associated with a 56% mortality versus 0% in patients with Cortisol values less than 30 μg/dL ( p < 0.005), whereas a high APACHE II (>25) score and a high TISS (>25) score were only associated with a mortality of 47% ( p = 0.06) and 32% (NS), respectively, versus 21 and 20%, respectively, in patients with scores less than 25. Logistical regression analysis revealed that of all the variables, 8 am Cortisol level had the best predictive value of outcome, followed by T4 levels and T3 resin uptake levels. Although high Cortisol and low T4 levels used alone had a sensitivity of 56 and 75% and a specificity of 100 and 80.5%, respectively, combined low T4 and high Cortisol levels had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 81.5% in predicting mortality. Very low T4 levels, due to severe illness, combined with high Cortisol levels (implying high physiological stress), are more sensitive predictors of mortality than APACHE II, TISS, Cortisol levels, or T4 levels alone, or any other combination of predictors.

Pasireotide: Somatostatin analog for Cushing disease

High and low unstimulated salivary cortisol levels correspond to different symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders

Background Alcoholics have impaired cortisol response to stress, indicating dysregulation in the extrahypothalamic systems responsible for activating cortisol secretion in response to stressor exposure. There is a growing literature indicating a relationship between hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical axis activity and neurocognitive functioning. This study examined the hypothesis that dysregulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical axis may be associated with some neuropsychological impairments in alcoholics.Methods Serum cortisol was obtained during cognitive testing and after exposure to cold pressor and mental arithmetic stress in 48 male alcoholics abstinent for 32 ± 6.7 days and in 30 controls; cortisol was also obtained from 18 of the alcoholic patients during withdrawal. Neurocognitive tasks included the Wechsler Memory Scale and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Relationships among alcoholics’ cognitive test scores, cortisol levels, and drinking practices were examined by correlation and regression analyses.Results Verbal memory deficits were more severe in alcoholics who had more withdrawals and ingested a higher typical quantity of alcohol during the prior year (p < 0.05). Higher levels of cortisol during withdrawal, an index of withdrawal severity, were associated with more errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (p < 0.005). As previously reported, the alcoholics had lower cortisol levels after stress compared with controls. Lower poststress cortisol levels were associated with poorer logical memory on the Wechsler Memory Scale and more errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (p < 0.05). Among controls, memory deficits occurred only in relation to higher poststress cortisol levels.Conclusions Poorer cognitive performance in alcoholics was related to more withdrawals, heavier alcohol consumption, and higher cortisol levels during a recent withdrawal. Alcoholics’ cognitive impairment was also related to attenuated stress cortisol responses. Altered stress regulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis should be studied further as a potential factor related to impaired cognitive function in recovering alcoholics.

Mineral composition of antlers of three deer species reared in captivity

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, progressive and neurodegenerative disease. A disturbance on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can be observed in patients with MS, showing altered cortisol levels. We aimed to identify basal cortisol levels and verify the relationship with clinical symptoms in patients with MS. A systematic search was conducted in the databases: Pubmed, Web of Science and SCOPUS. Both higher and lower cortisol levels were associated with MS. Higher cortisol levels were associated with depression and anxiety, while lower levels were associated with depression, fatigue and urinary dysfunction. Higher cortisol levels may be associated with the progression and severity of MS.