Work

Applied research note: Optimized corticosterone extraction following feather dissolution by keratinase

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The study aimed to develop and validate a robust, non-invasive method for assessing corticosterone (CORT) concentrations in poultry feathers as an indication of lifelong stress. Traditional sample preparation using methanol extraction showed high variability, prompting the exploration of a keratinase-based protocol. Three protocols were compared: methanol extraction (MP), original keratinase (KP), and an optimized keratinase protocol (OKP). The OKP significantly reduced intra-assay variability to 5.4 % compared to 61 % (MP) and 33 % (KP). Feather CORT levels were reliably quantified using the OKP, showing linear recovery of spiked samples (R² = 0.97). No significant correlation was found between plasma and feather CORT concentrations, underscoring the potential of feather sampling for long-term, as opposed to acute, stress assessment in poultry. This optimized method provides a valuable tool for animal welfare studies, enabling accurate and consistent measurement of feather CORT levels across different poultry strains and conditions.

Source: The Journal of Applied Poultry Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.japr.2024.100505

Authors: Nikolas R. Faust, Rosemary L. Walzem

Institution: Texas A&M University

Language: English

Topic: Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies

Subfield: Small Animals

Field: Veterinary

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,300