engleski

Non-invasive monitoring of adrenal activity in captive fallow deer (Dama dama L.)

Analysis of glucocorticoid metabolites in faeces of various domestic and wild animals is an increasingly used non-invasive tool to monitor adrenocortical activity. Despite the fact that recent findings proved that glucocorticoid release can be triggered independent of stress, when combined with other parameters glucocorticoid levels still can provide significant information about aversiveness of certain events in animals’ environment. To determine the excretion pattern for cortisol in fallow deer from extensive captive breeding in inland Croatia, we collected faecal samples during a one-year study at Radobojski Orehovec breeding site. Faecal cortisol metabolites were measured with an 11-oxoaeticholanolone enzyme immunoassay, previously validated for fallow deer. Our study confirmed seasonal pattern of cortisol release as already seen in boreal deer species and free ranging fallow deer from the Brijuni Island. Highest concentrations of 11, 17-dioxoandrostanes (a group of cortisol metabolites) were determined during the winter period (1044  424 ng/g faeces), followed by early summer (990  728 ng/g) and spring (791  645 ng/g). Significantly lower concentrations (when compared to winter and early summer) were determined during the late summer period (412  443 ng/g). Compared to concentrations in free-ranging fallow deer, levels of captive animals followed the same pattern, but with lower values for every season (significant difference only for summer period). This may be attributed to frequent contact and consequent adaptation to human presence in captive conditions (no room for long-distance avoidance) and less demanding food searching.

fallow deer; cortisol; adrenal activity; captive breeding

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