Analyzing corticosterone metabolites in fecal samples of mice: a noninvasive technique to monitor stress hormones

摘要: In small animals like mice, the monitoring of endocrine functions over time is constrained seriously by adverse effects blood sampling. Therefore, noninvasive techniques to monitor, for example, stress hormones in these are highly demanded laboratory as well field research. The aim our study was evaluate biological relevance a recently developed technique monitor hormone metabolites fecal samples mice. total, six experiments were performed using male and female mice each. Two adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) challenge tests, two dexamethasone (Dex) suppression tests control [investigating injection procedure itself diurnal variation (DV) glucocorticoids (GCs), respectively] conducted. clearly demonstrated that pharmacological stimulation adrenocortical activity reflected accurately means corticosterone metabolite (CM) measurements feces males females. Furthermore, proved sensitive enough detect dosage-dependent ACTH/Dex treatment facilitated reveal profound itself. Even naturally occurring DV GCs could be monitored reliably. Thus, results confirm measurement CM with established 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one enzyme immunoassay very powerful tool Since represent vast majority all rodents used research worldwide number transgenic knockout utilized animal models still increasing, this can open new perspectives biomedical behavioral science.