Inhibitory action of thymol in fecal microbial activity of Tamandua tetradactyla and its effect on glucocorticoid metabolite measurements
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Date
2015Author
Ruiz, M. B.
Busso, J. M.
Eguizábal, G. V
Villarreal, D. P.
López, A. G.
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Show full item recordAbstract
Non-invasive hormonal monitoring has potential to improve wildlife conservation, but there are methodological concerns. Faeces require storage methods to
avoid steroid degradation by faecal microorganisms. Freezing is recommended; however, it is a costly method under non-controlled environmental conditions.
This study aimed at developing an alternative transport and storage method for faeces, using a natural antimicrobial agent, which can be used in field studies
and when no equipment for freezing is available, expanding the application in non-invasive hormonal monitoring studies. For this, the purpose was to evaluate
if thymol reduces the proliferation of microorganisms in faeces from Tamandua tetradactyla during post-excretion time and if it may affect faecal
glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) measurements.