Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly (Lagothrix ssp.) and Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)

Detrimental physiological effects due to stressors can contribute to the low captive success of primates. The objective of this research was to investigate the potential impact of diet composition on cortisol concentrations in feces and saliva in woolly (n=27) and spider monkeys (n=61). The research...

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Main Authors: Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten, Eric van Heugten, Saskia Timmer, Guido Bosch, Abahor Elias, Scott Whisnant, Hans J. M. Swarts, Peter Ferket, Martin W. A. Verstegen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2009-01-01
Series:International Journal of Zoology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/127852
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author Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten
Eric van Heugten
Saskia Timmer
Guido Bosch
Abahor Elias
Scott Whisnant
Hans J. M. Swarts
Peter Ferket
Martin W. A. Verstegen
author_facet Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten
Eric van Heugten
Saskia Timmer
Guido Bosch
Abahor Elias
Scott Whisnant
Hans J. M. Swarts
Peter Ferket
Martin W. A. Verstegen
author_sort Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten
collection DOAJ
description Detrimental physiological effects due to stressors can contribute to the low captive success of primates. The objective of this research was to investigate the potential impact of diet composition on cortisol concentrations in feces and saliva in woolly (n=27) and spider monkeys (n=61). The research was conducted in three studies: the first investigated spider monkeys in the United States, the second investigated spider monkeys within Europe, and the third investigated woolly monkeys within Europe. Fecal cortisol in spider monkeys in US zoos varied (P=.07) from 30 to 66 ng/g. The zoo with the highest fecal cortisol also had the highest salivary cortisol (P≤.05). For European zoos, fecal cortisol differed between zoos for both spider and woolly monkeys (P≤.05). Spider monkeys had higher fecal cortisol than woolly monkeys (P≤.05). Zoos with the highest dietary carbohydrates, sugars, glucose, and fruit had the highest cortisol. Cortisol was highest for zoos that did not meet crude protein requirements and fed the lowest percentage of complete feeds and crude fiber. Differences among zoos in housing and diets may increase animal stress. The lifespan and reproductive success of captive primates could improve if stressors are reduced and dietary nutrients optimized.
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spelling doaj-art-6b1fce023e99472fa67cd22462dcd6cb2025-02-03T06:05:57ZengWileyInternational Journal of Zoology1687-84771687-84852009-01-01200910.1155/2009/127852127852Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly (Lagothrix ssp.) and Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten0Eric van Heugten1Saskia Timmer2Guido Bosch3Abahor Elias4Scott Whisnant5Hans J. M. Swarts6Peter Ferket7Martin W. A. Verstegen8Department of Animal Science, Interdepartmental Nutrition Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USADepartment of Animal Science, Interdepartmental Nutrition Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USADepartment of Animal Sciences, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Building 531, Zodiac, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG Wageningen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Animal Sciences, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Building 531, Zodiac, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG Wageningen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Animal Science, Interdepartmental Nutrition Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USADepartment of Animal Science, Interdepartmental Nutrition Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USADepartment of Animal Sciences, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Building 531, Zodiac, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG Wageningen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Poultry Science, Interdepartmental Nutrition Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USADepartment of Animal Sciences, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Building 531, Zodiac, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG Wageningen, The NetherlandsDetrimental physiological effects due to stressors can contribute to the low captive success of primates. The objective of this research was to investigate the potential impact of diet composition on cortisol concentrations in feces and saliva in woolly (n=27) and spider monkeys (n=61). The research was conducted in three studies: the first investigated spider monkeys in the United States, the second investigated spider monkeys within Europe, and the third investigated woolly monkeys within Europe. Fecal cortisol in spider monkeys in US zoos varied (P=.07) from 30 to 66 ng/g. The zoo with the highest fecal cortisol also had the highest salivary cortisol (P≤.05). For European zoos, fecal cortisol differed between zoos for both spider and woolly monkeys (P≤.05). Spider monkeys had higher fecal cortisol than woolly monkeys (P≤.05). Zoos with the highest dietary carbohydrates, sugars, glucose, and fruit had the highest cortisol. Cortisol was highest for zoos that did not meet crude protein requirements and fed the lowest percentage of complete feeds and crude fiber. Differences among zoos in housing and diets may increase animal stress. The lifespan and reproductive success of captive primates could improve if stressors are reduced and dietary nutrients optimized.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/127852
spellingShingle Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten
Eric van Heugten
Saskia Timmer
Guido Bosch
Abahor Elias
Scott Whisnant
Hans J. M. Swarts
Peter Ferket
Martin W. A. Verstegen
Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly (Lagothrix ssp.) and Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)
International Journal of Zoology
title Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly (Lagothrix ssp.) and Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)
title_full Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly (Lagothrix ssp.) and Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)
title_fullStr Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly (Lagothrix ssp.) and Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)
title_full_unstemmed Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly (Lagothrix ssp.) and Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)
title_short Fecal and Salivary Cortisol Concentrations in Woolly (Lagothrix ssp.) and Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)
title_sort fecal and salivary cortisol concentrations in woolly lagothrix ssp and spider monkeys ateles spp
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/127852
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