Fecal Concentrations of Cortisol, Testosterone, and Progesterone in Cotton-Top Tamarins Housed in Different Zoological Parks: Relationships Among Physiological Data, Environmental Conditions, and Behavioral Patterns

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to study the welfare of 3 captive groups of cotton-top tamarins housed in different zoological parks. Ethological observations were conducted during 1 year. In addition, fecal samples were collected and the concentrations of glucocorticoids, androgens, and progestogens were measured. Within each group, no significant differences in fecal cortisol concentrations were found between subjects. The fecal concentrations of testosterone and progesterone significantly differed depending on the sexes and ages of the tamarins. A significant association was found among hormone concentrations, exhibit dimensions, and group composition. A highly significant correlation was found between all hormones considered and the space available for each subject. Significant differences in behavioral patterns were observed among groups, including social–individual, affiliative–aggressive, and anogenital–suprapubic scent marking. Correlations between hormone measurements and behaviors were detected. In conclusion, this study confirmed the associations between some behaviors exhibited by these nonhuman primates and both cortisol and testosterone; these data also highlight the role played by progesterone in these behaviors.

Keywords::

• captive management
• hormones
• stress
• Saguinus oedipus

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Paolo Cavicchio (Pistoia Zoological Gardens), Maria Rodeano (Punta Verde Zoological Park), Caterina Spiezio, and Cesare Avesani Zaborra (Garda Zoological Park), and their staff members for access to the zoos and assistance during data collection. We also thank Cecilia Fontanesi, Dalila Frasson, and Sarah Tani for sharing data. We are grateful to Danilo Matteuzzi and Antonio Volgarino for help in the analysis of biological samples and to Jacopo Moggi-Cecchi and Roscoe Stanyon for their comments and suggestions.

FUNDING

This study was supported by the University of Florence (sample collection) and the University of Bologna (RFO 2009; laboratory analysis).