Stress and stereotypic behaviour in mink (Mustela vison): a focus on adrenocortical activity

TY - JOUR

T1 - Stress and stereotypic behaviour in mink (Mustela vison)

T2 - a focus on adrenocortical activity

AU - Malmkvist, Jens

AU - Jeppesen, Leif Lau

AU - Palme, R.

PY - 2011/5

Y1 - 2011/5

N2 - We examined whether female mink with low (LS) and high (HS) occurrence of stereotypic behaviour differ in their adrenocortical activity in baseline conditions or in response to immobilisation (Experiment 1), handling, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge (Experiment 2) and excretion of circulating cortisol (Experiment 3). Faeces are the predominating excretory route of cortisol (83%), with peak concentrations after 4.2 h (urine: 3.4 h). Faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) reflected changes in relation to handling/ACTH challenge. In Experiment 1 (n = 162), HS mink had approximately 54% higher baseline level of FCM than LS mink (P < 0.001), with markedly elevated FCM on the days after an immobilisation stressor. In Experiment 2 (n = 48), LS and HS mink did not differ in adrenocortical activity after an ACTH challenge. However, HS mink reacted more in response to handling, evident in the FCM level 4-20 h after the handling (P = 0.001). In Experiment 3 (n = 16), the excretion of infused 3H-cortisol did not differ between LS and HS mink. Stereotypic behaviour is concurrent with higher baseline concentrations of FCM, which cannot be explained by a greater adrenocortical reactivity or a different excretion of the circulating cortisol. Instead, we conclude that mink with a high level of stereotypic behaviour have a greater perception of stress, or increased sensitivity to stressors at the pituitary level.

AB - We examined whether female mink with low (LS) and high (HS) occurrence of stereotypic behaviour differ in their adrenocortical activity in baseline conditions or in response to immobilisation (Experiment 1), handling, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge (Experiment 2) and excretion of circulating cortisol (Experiment 3). Faeces are the predominating excretory route of cortisol (83%), with peak concentrations after 4.2 h (urine: 3.4 h). Faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) reflected changes in relation to handling/ACTH challenge. In Experiment 1 (n = 162), HS mink had approximately 54% higher baseline level of FCM than LS mink (P < 0.001), with markedly elevated FCM on the days after an immobilisation stressor. In Experiment 2 (n = 48), LS and HS mink did not differ in adrenocortical activity after an ACTH challenge. However, HS mink reacted more in response to handling, evident in the FCM level 4-20 h after the handling (P = 0.001). In Experiment 3 (n = 16), the excretion of infused 3H-cortisol did not differ between LS and HS mink. Stereotypic behaviour is concurrent with higher baseline concentrations of FCM, which cannot be explained by a greater adrenocortical reactivity or a different excretion of the circulating cortisol. Instead, we conclude that mink with a high level of stereotypic behaviour have a greater perception of stress, or increased sensitivity to stressors at the pituitary level.

KW - Adrenal Cortex

KW - Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

KW - Animals

KW - Feces

KW - Female

KW - Handling (Psychology)

KW - Hydrocortisone

KW - Immobilization

KW - Mink

KW - Stereotyped Behavior

KW - Stress, Psychological

U2 - 10.3109/10253890.2010.547640

DO - 10.3109/10253890.2010.547640

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21438775

SN - 1025-3890

VL - 14

SP - 312

EP - 323

JO - Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress

JF - Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress

IS - 3

ER -