AGE-RELATED INCREASE OF URINE CORTISOL IN NON-BREEDING INDIVIDUALS OF FUKOMYS ANSELLI (RODENTIA, BATHYERGIDAE) FROM A LABORATORY COLONY

摘要

Possible effects of age and reproductive status on urine cortisol in Ansell's mole-rat (F. anselli) from a laboratory colony of the Duisburg-Essen University (Essen, Germany) were examined to test the hypothesis about the stressful effect of the inability to disperse as a possible explanation of reduced longevity of non-breeding individuals of social mole rats (Fukomys) in comparison with breeding ones (Novikov, Burda, 2013). Among the tested factors, only calendar age of the individuals gave significant effects on urine cortisol. Breeding status had no effect on the urine cortisol concentration. In the non-breeders, the cortisol/creatinine index positively correlated with calendar age. These results confirm our suggestion about the possible role of chronic stress in decreased life-span of non-breeding individuals of Fukomys compared with breeding ones (Dammann, Burda, 2006).