The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts
As a reactive species, the red deer is sensitive to both negative exogenous and endogenous stimuli. An intensive hunting period may have a particularly negative impact on game animals. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma cortisol level and biochemical parameters in 25 wild red deer (&l...
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MDPI AG
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| author | Katarzyna Dziki-Michalska Katarzyna Tajchman Sylwester Kowalik Maciej Wójcik |
| author_facet | Katarzyna Dziki-Michalska Katarzyna Tajchman Sylwester Kowalik Maciej Wójcik |
| author_sort | Katarzyna Dziki-Michalska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As a reactive species, the red deer is sensitive to both negative exogenous and endogenous stimuli. An intensive hunting period may have a particularly negative impact on game animals. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma cortisol level and biochemical parameters in 25 wild red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>) harvested during stalking hunts in correlation with the sex and age of the animals. The mean cortisol concentrations in the stags and hinds analyzed in this study were similar (20.2 and 21.5 ng/mL, respectively). Higher HDL cholesterol values were found in the blood of the hinds than in stags (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Similarly, the mean levels of LDL cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and alanine aminotransferase were higher by 21%, 16%, and 42%, respectively, in the blood of the hinds. In contrast, the levels of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in the stags (by 30%, 49%, and 36%, respectively). There was a negative correlation of the cortisol concentration with urea and bilirubin and a positive correlation between cortisol and aspartate aminotransferase in the stags (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In turn, a negative correlation was found between the cortisol and urea levels in the hinds (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In summary, the stress caused by stalking hunts and the characteristic behavior of red deer during the mating season had an impact on chosen biochemical parameters. The increased concentration of cortisol resulted in a decrease in the carcass mass, which may lead to the deterioration of the physical condition of animals on hunting grounds. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:49:48Z |
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| id | doaj.art-4e2bd8e87293407cb2968e8a05d82e5c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:49:48Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-4e2bd8e87293407cb2968e8a05d82e5c2024-04-12T13:14:24ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-04-01147110810.3390/ani14071108The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking HuntsKatarzyna Dziki-Michalska0Katarzyna Tajchman1Sylwester Kowalik2Maciej Wójcik3Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, PolandRegional Directorate of the State Forests in Lublin, Czechowska 4, 20-950 Lublin, PolandAs a reactive species, the red deer is sensitive to both negative exogenous and endogenous stimuli. An intensive hunting period may have a particularly negative impact on game animals. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma cortisol level and biochemical parameters in 25 wild red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>) harvested during stalking hunts in correlation with the sex and age of the animals. The mean cortisol concentrations in the stags and hinds analyzed in this study were similar (20.2 and 21.5 ng/mL, respectively). Higher HDL cholesterol values were found in the blood of the hinds than in stags (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Similarly, the mean levels of LDL cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and alanine aminotransferase were higher by 21%, 16%, and 42%, respectively, in the blood of the hinds. In contrast, the levels of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in the stags (by 30%, 49%, and 36%, respectively). There was a negative correlation of the cortisol concentration with urea and bilirubin and a positive correlation between cortisol and aspartate aminotransferase in the stags (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In turn, a negative correlation was found between the cortisol and urea levels in the hinds (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In summary, the stress caused by stalking hunts and the characteristic behavior of red deer during the mating season had an impact on chosen biochemical parameters. The increased concentration of cortisol resulted in a decrease in the carcass mass, which may lead to the deterioration of the physical condition of animals on hunting grounds.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/7/1108<i>Cervus elaphus</i>stress responsestress hormonebiochemical parameters |
| spellingShingle | Katarzyna Dziki-Michalska Katarzyna Tajchman Sylwester Kowalik Maciej Wójcik The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts Animals <i>Cervus elaphus</i> stress response stress hormone biochemical parameters |
| title | The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts |
| title_full | The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts |
| title_fullStr | The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts |
| title_short | The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts |
| title_sort | levels of cortisol and selected biochemical parameters in red deer harvested during stalking hunts |
| topic | <i>Cervus elaphus</i> stress response stress hormone biochemical parameters |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/7/1108 |
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