An examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultra-violet (HPLC-UV)
The immuno-competence hypothesis proposes that higher levels of testosterone increases the susceptibility to parasitism. Here we examined the testosterone levels in two species of flying squirrels (Glaucomys): one known to regularly host a nematode species (Strongyloides robustus) without ill effect...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2017-08-01
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Series: | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
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Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224417300263 |
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author | Sarah N. Waksmonski Justin M. Huffman Carolyn G. Mahan Michael A. Steele |
author_facet | Sarah N. Waksmonski Justin M. Huffman Carolyn G. Mahan Michael A. Steele |
author_sort | Sarah N. Waksmonski |
collection | DOAJ |
description | The immuno-competence hypothesis proposes that higher levels of testosterone increases the susceptibility to parasitism. Here we examined the testosterone levels in two species of flying squirrels (Glaucomys): one known to regularly host a nematode species (Strongyloides robustus) without ill effects (G. volans) and a closely related species that is considered negatively affected by the parasite. We quantified fecal testosterone levels in northern and southern flying squirrels (G. sabrinus, G. volans) with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy (HPLC-UV), and compared levels to endoparasites detected in individual squirrels. Qualitatively, we found highest levels of testosterone in male northern flying squirrels infected with Strongyloides robustus. This analytical approach represents an alternative and equally reliable method to using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for detecting and quantifying fecal testosterone levels. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-12T01:05:43Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-90fe9331f0c242b0b01e3627e10eaf32 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2213-2244 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-12T01:05:43Z |
publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
publisher | Elsevier |
record_format | Article |
series | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
spelling | doaj.art-90fe9331f0c242b0b01e3627e10eaf322022-12-22T03:54:16ZengElsevierInternational Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife2213-22442017-08-016213513710.1016/j.ijppaw.2017.05.003An examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultra-violet (HPLC-UV)Sarah N. Waksmonski0Justin M. Huffman1Carolyn G. Mahan2Michael A. Steele3Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, 3000 Ivyside, The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, PA 16601, USADivision of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, 3000 Ivyside, The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, PA 16601, USADivision of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, 3000 Ivyside, The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, PA 16601, USADepartment of Biology, Wilkes University, 84 West South St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, USAThe immuno-competence hypothesis proposes that higher levels of testosterone increases the susceptibility to parasitism. Here we examined the testosterone levels in two species of flying squirrels (Glaucomys): one known to regularly host a nematode species (Strongyloides robustus) without ill effects (G. volans) and a closely related species that is considered negatively affected by the parasite. We quantified fecal testosterone levels in northern and southern flying squirrels (G. sabrinus, G. volans) with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy (HPLC-UV), and compared levels to endoparasites detected in individual squirrels. Qualitatively, we found highest levels of testosterone in male northern flying squirrels infected with Strongyloides robustus. This analytical approach represents an alternative and equally reliable method to using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for detecting and quantifying fecal testosterone levels.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224417300263Flying squirrelsImmuno-competence hypothesisParasitesStrongyloides robustusTestosteroneFecal extractionHigh-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy |
spellingShingle | Sarah N. Waksmonski Justin M. Huffman Carolyn G. Mahan Michael A. Steele An examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultra-violet (HPLC-UV) International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife Flying squirrels Immuno-competence hypothesis Parasites Strongyloides robustus Testosterone Fecal extraction High-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy |
title | An examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultra-violet (HPLC-UV) |
title_full | An examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultra-violet (HPLC-UV) |
title_fullStr | An examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultra-violet (HPLC-UV) |
title_full_unstemmed | An examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultra-violet (HPLC-UV) |
title_short | An examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultra-violet (HPLC-UV) |
title_sort | examination of endoparasites and fecal testosterone levels in flying squirrels glaucomys spp using high performance liquid chromatography ultra violet hplc uv |
topic | Flying squirrels Immuno-competence hypothesis Parasites Strongyloides robustus Testosterone Fecal extraction High-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy |
url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224417300263 |
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