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A Method for the Measurement of Salivary Gland Function in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2018
Measuring salivary analytes from free-ranging monkeys.
James P Higham1, Alison B Vitale, Adaris Mas Rivera
1Institute for Mind and Biology, University of Chicago, 940 East 57th Street, Chicago, Il 60637, USA.
Physiology & Behavior
|September 15, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed a novel method for collecting saliva from free-ranging rhesus macaques using oral swabs on ropes. This non-invasive technique successfully gathered samples for analyzing cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase, offering new insights into primate physiology.
Area of Science:
- Primate physiology and behavior
- Non-invasive wildlife monitoring techniques
- Biomarker analysis in wildlife
Background:
- Non-invasive physiological assessments in large mammals typically rely on fecal or urinary biomarkers.
- Existing methods have limitations, restricting the scope of measurable physiological variables.
- There is a need for expanded non-invasive techniques for free-ranging primates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate novel methods for collecting monkey saliva non-invasively.
- To assess the feasibility of using saliva samples for analyzing specific physiological biomarkers in primates.
- To determine the willingness of free-ranging primates to provide saliva samples using the developed technique.
Main Methods:
- Developed a method using ropes with oral swabs to collect saliva from free-ranging monkeys.
- Evaluated various attractants and assessed sample collection rates across different age/sex categories.
- Tested collected saliva samples using commercially available assays for cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase (SAA), and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA).
- Validated cortisol and SAA assays for rhesus macaques, including analytical validation and correlation with individual characteristics.
Main Results:
- Habituated free-ranging rhesus macaques voluntarily provided saliva samples without training.
- 100% of infants and over 50% of adults were willing to use the collection devices.
- Cortisol and SAA assays were validated for rhesus macaques, showing linear dilution and parallel responses to standards.
- Measured cortisol and SAA values correlated with individual age and dominance rank.
- The SIgA assay did not yield reactive results with the collected samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed rope-and-swab method is a robust and effective non-invasive technique for collecting primate saliva.
- This method significantly enhances the ability to study physiological aspects of free-ranging primate behavior and ecology.
- The technique is potentially adaptable to other mammalian taxa for physiological research.
