Urinary cortisol responses to social isolation and short-term physical restraint in the common marmoset (callithrix jacchus) (2004)

Jones, B. M., Fix, H. C., French, J. A.

Abstract

Plasma cortisol has been used to study the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis response in primate species, however, the stress associated with handling and blood collection may confound this measure. The purpose of this study was to validate the use of urinary cortisol as an alternative noninvasive technique to evaluate HPA axis response in common marmosets. In order to accomplish this, marmosets were exposed to different levels of psychosocial stressors. Seven common marmosets, six males and one female, housed in family groups, experienced social isolation in a small cage for a period of eight hours as a minor stressor, and restraint in gloved hands for 5 minutes plus social isolation as a moderate stressor. Urine was collected throughout the stress day as well as the 24 hours preceding and following the stressor; first void urine was collected 48 hours pre and post stressor. .. Cortisol was found to be significantly elevated above baseline levels following both stress treatments (p<.05). Levels tended to remain elevated above baseline the day following treatment.