Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-xm8r8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-22T09:15:15.013Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Influence of environmental conditions and facility on faecal glucocorticoid concentrations in captive pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

CD Scarlata ,
BA Elias ,
JR Godwin ,
RA Powell ,
D Shepherdson ,
LA Shipley  and
JL Brown
CD Scarlata
Affiliation:
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR, USA
BA Elias
Affiliation:
Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
JR Godwin
Affiliation:
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
RA Powell
Affiliation:
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
D Shepherdson
Affiliation:
Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR, USA
LA Shipley
Affiliation:
Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
JL Brown*
Affiliation:
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: brownjan@si.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if housing conditions, specifically pen size and soil enrichment, had an effect on faecal glucocorticoid concentrations in the endangered pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). The success of the captive breeding programme has been limited, so one hypothesis is that chronic stress due to sub-optimal housing conditions may be responsible for poor fecundity. Faecal glucocorticoid concentrations were assessed in 50 females housed among several pen types at two breeding facilities. The highest glucocorticoid concentrations were found in females housed in 0.37 m2 crates as compared to enclosures ranging from 0.96 to 75 m2 in size. Results also indicated that enrichment of enclosures with soil had a significant influence on adrenal activity, based on a reduction in glucocorticoid excretion for females moved from non-soil pens to those with soil. Last, a significant facility effect on glucocorticoid concentrations was observed, suggesting that factors other than housing influenced adrenal activity in these rabbits. In conclusion, based on measurements of faecal glucocorticoids, pygmy rabbits are best managed in enclosures that contain soil for digging burrows. Pen size had little effect on stress hormones, except for crates where limited space and/or absence of soil was associated with higher glucocorticoid concentrations. These results underline the importance of monitoring glucocorticoid concentrations in captive breeding programmes to identify optimal husbandry and management practices.

Keywords

animal welfarecaptive breedingenvironmental enrichmentfaecal glucocorticoidshusbandrypygmy rabbit
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , August 2013 , pp. 357 - 368
Copyright
© 2013 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adams, J, Corse, M, Csuti, B, Finnegan, M, Harrenstein, L, Healy, L, Lamson, RS, Swenson, P, Shepherdson, D and Steele, J 2001 Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis): Captive Care and Breeding. Oregon Zoo: Portland, OR, USAGoogle Scholar
Arnold, CE and Estep, DQ 1994 Laboratory caging preferences in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Laboratory Animals 28: 232–238. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002367794780681598CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barnett, JL and Hemsworth, PH 1990 The validity of physiological and behavioural measures of animal welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 25: 177–187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0168-1591(90)90079-SCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beattie, VE, Walker, N and Sneddon, IA 1998 Preference testing of substrates by growing pigs. Animal Welfare 7: 27–34Google Scholar
Boonstra, R 2005 Equipped for life: the adaptive role of the stress axis in male mammals. Journal of Mammalogy 86: 236–247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/BHE-001.1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Broom, DM 1991 Animal welfare: concepts and measurement. Journal of Animal Science 69: 4167–4175CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brown, JL, Citino, SB, Shaw, J and Miller, C 1994a Endocrine profiles during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii). Zoo Biology 13: 107–117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430130203CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, JL, Wasser, SK, Wildt, DE and Graham, LH 1994b Comparative aspects of steroid hormone metabolism and ovarian activity in felids, measured noninvasively in feces. Biology of Reproduction 51: 776–786. http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod51.4.776CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carlstead, K and Brown, JL 2005 Relationships between patterns of fecal corticoid excretion and behaviour, reproduction and environmental factors in captive black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros. Zoo Biology 24: 215–232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20050CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carlstead, K, Brown, JL and Seidensticker, J 1993 Behavioral and adrenocortical responses to environmental changes in leopard cats (Felis bengalensis). Zoo Biology 12: 321–331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430120403CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carlstead, K and Shepherdson, D 1994 Effects of environmental enrichment on reproduction. Zoo Biology 13: 447–458. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430130507CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cassinello, J and Pieters, I 2000 Multi-male captive groups of endangered dama gazelle: social rank, aggression and enclosure effects. Zoo Biology 19: 121–129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1098-2361(2000)19:2<121::AID-ZOO3>3.0.CO;2-13.0.CO;2-1>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clubb, R and Mason, GJ 2007 Natural behavioural biology as a risk factor in carnivore welfare: how analysing species differences could help zoos improve enclosures. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 102: 303–328. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.05.033CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Creel, SF 2005 Dominance, aggression, and glucocorticoid levels in social carnivores. Journal of Mammalogy 86: 255–264. http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/BHE-002.1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Creel, SF, Creel, NM and Monfort, SL 1996 Social stress and dominance. Nature 379: 212–212. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/379212a0CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crockett, CM, Bowers, CL, Sackett, GP and Bowden, DM 1993 Urinary cortisol responses of longtailed macaques to 5 cage sizes, tethering, sedation, and room change. American Journal of Primatology 30: 55–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajp.1350300105CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crockett, CM, Shimoji, M and Bowden, DM 2000 Behavior, appetite, and urinary cortisol responses by adult female pigtailed macaques to cage size, cage level, room change, and ketamine sedation. American Journal of Primatology 52: 63–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1098-2345(200010)52:2<63::AID-AJP1>3.0.CO;2-K3.0.CO;2-K>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Elias, BA, Shipley, LA, Sayler, RD and Lamson, RS 2006 Mating and parental care in captive pygmy rabbits. Journal of Mammalogy 87: 921–928. http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/05-MAMM-A-335R1.1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gahr, ML 1993 Natural history, burrow habitat use, and home range of the pygmy rabbit of Sagebrush Flats, Washington. University of Washington: Seattle, Washington, USAGoogle Scholar
Green, JS and Flinders, JT 1980 Brachylagus idahoensis. Mammalian Species 125: 1–4. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3503856Google Scholar
Hays, DW 2001 Washington pygmy rabbit: emergency action plan for species survival. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program: Washington, USAGoogle Scholar
Hays, DW 2003 Addendum to Washington State Recovery Plan for the pygmy rabbit (1995). Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program: Washington, USAGoogle Scholar
Hewson, CJ 2003 What is animal welfare? Common definitions and their practical consequences. Canadian Veterinary Journal 44: 496–499Google ScholarPubMed
Janson, RG 2002 The pygmy rabbit from Utah to Montana. Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit: Montana, USAGoogle Scholar
Line SW, Clarke AS and Markowitz 1987 Plasma cortisol of female rhesus monkeys in response to acute restraint. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 26: 1–5Google Scholar
Manser, CE, Morris, TH and Broom, DM 1995 An investigation into the effects of solid or grid cage flooring on the welfare of laboratory rats. Laboratory Animals 29: 353–363. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002367795780740023CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mellen, JD 1991 Factors influencing reproductive success in small captive exotic felids (Felis spp). A multiple-regression analysis. Zoo Biology 10: 95–110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430100202CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Millspaugh, JJ and Washburn, BE 2004 Use of fecal glucocor-ticoid metabolite measures in conservation biology research: considerations for application and interpretation. General and Comparative Endocrinology 138: 189–199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2004.07.002CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morgan, KN and Tromborg, CT 2007 Sources of stress in captivity. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 102: 262–302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.05.032CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moreira, N, Brown, JL, Moraes, W, Swanson, WF and Monteiro-Filho, ELA 2007 Effect of housing and environmental enrichment on adrenocortical activity, behavior and reproductive cyclicity in the female tigrina (Leopardus tigrinus) and margay (Leopardus wiedii). Zoo Biology 26: 441–460. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20139CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rachlow, JL, Sanchez, DM and Estes-Zumpf, WA 2005 Natal burrows and nests of free-ranging pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). Western North American Naturalist 65: 136–139Google Scholar
Reeder, DM and Kramer, KM 2005 Stress in free-ranging mammals: Integrating physiology, ecology, and natural history. Journal of Mammalogy 86: 225–235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/BHE-003.1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sapolsky, RM 2002 Endocrinology of the stress response. In: Becker, JB, Breedlove, SM, Crews, D and McCarthy, MM (eds) Behavioral Endocrinology. MIT Press: Cambridge, MA, USAGoogle Scholar
Sapolsky, RM, Romero, LM and Munck, AU 2000 How do glucocorticoids influence stress responses? Integrating permissive, suppressive, stimulatory, and preparative actions. Endocrine Reviews 21: 55–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/er.21.1.55Google ScholarPubMed
Scarlata, CD 2010 Relationships among stress, reproduction and housing conditions in captive pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC, USAGoogle Scholar
Scarlata, CD, Elias, BA, Godwin, JR, Powell, RA, Shepherdson, D, Shipley, LA and Brown, JL 2011 Characterising gonadal and adrenal activity by faecal steroid analyses in pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). General and Comparative Endocrinology 171: 373–380. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2011.03.002CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scarlata, CD, Elias, BA, Godwin, JR, Powell, RA, Shepherdson, D, Shipley, LA and Brown, JL 2012 Relationship between fecal hormone concentrations and reproductive success in captive pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). Journal of Mammalogy 93: 759–777. http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/11-MAMM-A-223.1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seyle, H 1976 The Stress of Life. McGraw-Hill Book Company: New York, USAGoogle Scholar
Shepherdson, DJ, Carlstead, KC and Wielebnowski, N 2004 Cross-institutional assessment of stress responses in zoo animals using longitudinal monitoring of faecal corticoids and behavior. Animal Welfare 13: S105–S113Google Scholar
Swaisgood, RR and Shepherdson, DJ 2005 Scientific approaches to enrichment and stereotypies in zoo animals: What's been done and where should we go next? Zoo Biology 24: 499–518. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20066CrossRefGoogle Scholar
USFWS 2007 Draft recovery plan for the Columbia Basin distinct population segment of the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). USFWS: Portland, Oregon, USAGoogle Scholar
van Loo, PLP, Kruitwagen, C, van Zutphen, LFM, Koolhaas, JM and Baumans, V 2000 Modulation of aggression in male mice: influence of cage cleaning regime and scent marks. Animal Welfare 9: 281–295Google Scholar
Vargas, A and Anderson, SH 1999 Effects of experience and cage enrichment on predatory skills of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes). Journal of Mammalogy 80: 263–269. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1383226CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wielebnowski, NC, Fletchall, N, Carlstead, K, Busso, JM and Brown, JL 2002 Non-invasive assessment of adrenal activity associated with husbandry and behavioral factors in the North American clouded leopard population. Zoo Biology 21: 77–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.10005CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilde, DB 1978 A population analysis of the pygmy rabbit (Sylvilagus idahoensis) on the INEL site. Idaho State University: Pocatello, Idaho, USAGoogle Scholar
Young, KM, Walker, SL, Lanthier, C, Waddell, WT, Monfort, SL and Brown, JL 2004 Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity in carnivores by fecal glucocorticoid analyses. General and Comparative Endocrinology 137: 148–165. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2004.02.016CrossRefGoogle Scholar