A broad-selective enzyme immunoassay for non-invasive stress assessment in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) held in captivity

作者：Anfossi L^*; Ozella L; Di Nardo F; Giovannoli C; Passini C; Favaro L; Pessani D; Mostl E; Baggiani C

来源：Analytical Methods, 2014, 6(20): 8222-8231.

DOI：10.1039/c4ay01407c

We applied a direct competitive immunoassay for measuring corticosterone and glucocorticoid metabolites in faeces (FGMs) as a non-invasive tool for monitoring the stress response of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) held in captivity in a zoological facility. The developed assay, validated in-house, proved to be rapid (the test could be completed in 90 minutes), sensitive (LOD for corticosterone 0.2 mu g l(-1), dynamic range 0.75-75 mu g l(-1)) and broad-selective, as it cross-reacted with the major corticosteroids, thus allowing the detection of excreted FGMs resulting from a biological stressor. Matrix interference, due to components of faecal samples, was overcome by diluting sample extracts (1 + 4 or 1 + 9, depending on the sample). The assay enabled us to investigate the response to stress in five animals - three adult males and two adult females - over a period of 30 hours, and to identify the peak of FGM production as being 7-10 hours after the stressful event.

• 出版日期2014
• 单位河北医科大学