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Updated: May 15, 2026

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids
Published on: April 25, 2016
Daily or thrice weekly handling of eland antelope (Taurotragus oryx): effects on serum cortisol level
P M Pennington1, C E Pope, R A MacLean
1Department of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Abstract:
We evaluated the cortisol response of adult female eland (n=8) that were handled in hydraulic chute daily or 3×/week. Females were divided into two groups and each group (n=4) successively received two estrous cycle synchronization treatments: (1) two injections of prostaglandin (PG-PG) F2α at 11 day intervals and (2) oral administration of altrenogest for 7 days and an injection of PGF2α on day 7 (Alt-PG). Blood samples were collected 3×/week during the synchronization (Synch) and expected luteal phase (Nonintensive) periods, and daily during the expected time of induced (Intensive 1) or natural (Intensive 2) estrus. Overall, mean cortisol levels were highest during Intensive 1, followed by Intensive 2, Synch and Nonintensive periods. Individual eland were the most significant source of variation for cortisol level. The frequency of handling and the synchronization treatment significantly affected cortisol levels in 3/8 and 4/8 females, respectively. In conclusion, in response to increased frequency of handling, eland cortisol levels rose transiently and returned to baseline within few days after more intensive handling. Thus, the eland females were tolerant to and recovered from the effects of repeated daily handling.
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