Exploring the Utility of Hair Endocannabinoids for Monitoring Homeostasis in Bonobos

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Verena Behringer - , German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research (Author)
  • Aniko Krumbholz - , Institute of Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry Dresden (Author)
  • Jeroen M G Stevens - , University of Antwerp, Odisee University College (Author)
  • Annekathrin M Keiler - , Environmental Monitoring and Endocrinology (Research Group), Institute of Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry Dresden (Author)
  • Oliver Zierau - , Environmental Monitoring and Endocrinology (Research Group) (Author)
  • Gottfried Hohmann - , Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Last author)

Abstract

AbstractQuantifying physiological challenges has gained increasing importance in evolutionary biology, behavioral physiology, and conservation. One matrix that is particularly useful for obtaining long-term records of physiological changes in mammals is hair. Potential markers are components of the endocannabinoid (EC) system, which regulates homeostasis of the brain as well as the endocrine and immune systems. Here, we present results from the first study to measure ECs (anandamide [AEA], 2-archidonyl glycerol [2-AG]) and EC-like compounds (N-palmitoylethanolamine [PEA], N-oleoylethanolamine [OEA], N-stearoylethanolamine [SEA]) in the hair of a nonhuman primate. We found that AEA, SEA, PEA, and OEA can be reliably measured in hair samples. When comparing the measurements of hair from different body parts, we found that variations of some analytes suggest that hair location is likely to affect results. For changes in health status, measurements of ECs and EC-like compounds reflected differences at both intra- and interindividual levels. We concluded that the EC system potentially provides novel tools to assess well-being, health status, and metabolic stress-not only in the hair of humans but also in that of domestic and wild animals. Measuring changes in ECs and EC-like compounds may improve the long-term monitoring of health status in captive and wild primates and may serve as a useful measure in animal welfare programs.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)83-98
Number of pages16
JournalPhysiological and biochemical zoology : PBZ
Volume94
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jan 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85099999641
ORCID /0000-0002-2157-4711/work/142251651

Keywords

Keywords

  • Animals, Biomarkers/chemistry, Endocannabinoids/chemistry, Female, Hair/chemistry, Homeostasis/physiology, Male, Pan paniscus/physiology

Library keywords