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Temporal Dynamics of Plasma Catecholamines, Metabolic and Immune Markers, and the Corticosterone:DHEA Ratio in Farmed Crocodiles before and after an Acute Stressor

Authors :
Andre A. Swanepoel
Christoff Truter
Francois P. Viljoen
Jan G. Myburgh
Brian H. Harvey
Source :
Animals, Vol 14, Iss 15, p 2236 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Commercial crocodilian farms face significant economic and livestock losses attributed to stress, which may be linked to their adopted husbandry practices. The development of appropriate and modernized husbandry guidelines, particularly those focused on stress mitigation, is impeded by the limited understanding of the crocodilian stress response. Fifteen grower Nile crocodiles were subjected to simulated acute transport stress, with blood samples collected at various intervals post-stress. Plasma levels of corticosterone (CORT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), adrenaline, and noradrenaline were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Glucose and lactate were measured using portable meters and the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HLR) was determined via differential leucocyte counts. Significant differences were elicited after the stressor, with acute fluctuations observed in the fast-acting catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) when compared to the baseline. Downstream effects of these catecholamines and CORT appear to be associated with a persistent increase in plasma glucose and HLR. Lactate also showed acute fluctuations over time but returned to the baseline by the final measurement. DHEA, which is used in a ratio with CORT, showed fluctuations over time with an inverted release pattern to the catecholamines. The study highlights the temporal dynamics of physiological markers under acute stress, contributing to our understanding of crocodilian stress and potentially informing improved farming practices for conservation and sustainable management.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20762615
Volume :
14
Issue :
15
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Animals
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.127ee9e6a42f4b119385e6aa55d7c2fd
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152236