Abstract

VEGA, D. et al. Faecal cortisol, testosterone and estradiol in white-tailed deer feces from Wildlife Management and Conservation Units in Durango, Mexico. Revista bio ciencias [online]. 2020, vol.7, e714.  Epub Nov 18, 2020. ISSN 2007-3380.  https://doi.org/10.15741/revbio.07.e714.

White-tailed deer is a sensitive species and can easily get stressed. Human activities associated with ecotourism and hunting (such as the creation of enclosures), as well as environmental factors can trigger stress. It is necessary to know the hormonal stress and reproductive levels for a better management and conservation of the species. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare fecal levels of cortisol, testosterone and estradiol in white-tailed deer in Management Units for Wildlife Conservation, and to analyze its relationship with environmental variables. Fecal groups were collected for a year in two populations: free-living (Salvador Allende) and fenced (Molinillos) white-tailed deer, in the state of Durango, Mexico. Fecal groups were collected during a year in two populations of white-tailed deer. Fecal DNA was isolated and SRY gene was amplified to know the sex of the individuals. Fecal cortisol, testosterone and estradiol were measured by means of commercial ELISA kits. The vegetation cover was estimated and information on the environmental variables of each site was obtained. A factorial ANOVA and Pearson correlation were carried out. Fecal cortisol levels were highest in the free-living population (F1,103=31.87, p<0.0001). Levels of fecal cortisol increased as testosterone increased in males from both populations. Fecal cortisol, testosterone and estradiol levels increased as winter came (reproductive season) in both populations. Higher fecal cortisol levels in the free-living population suggested the effect of enclosure does not always generate stress, under adequate management conditions.

Keywords : Stress; SRY gene; fecal steroids hormones; reproduction; Odocoileus virginianus.

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