Serum cortisol in mules intended for agricultural work |
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Authors: | Lady C. CALIXTO,José R. MARTINEZ |
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Affiliation: | 1. Research Line in Equine Medicine and Surgery (LIMCE), Centauro Research Group, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, University of Antioquia, AA 1226 Medellín, Colombia |
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Abstract: | Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that is stimulated by physiological and pathological factors and has been studied widely in equids, but not in mules. The objectives of this study were to obtain a reference value for serum cortisol in mules destined for agricultural activities and to identify age- and gender-related differences in the value. The concentration was obtained in blood samples using a commercial sandwich ELISA specific for cortisol. The concentration was 96.3 ± 40.6 ng/ml and similar between age groups and genders. |
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Keywords: | agricultural work mule serum cortisol stress |
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