Offer of physiological markers
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)
What is Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): AMH is a protein primarily produced in the ovaries of female animals and the testes of male animals. It plays a critical role in reproductive biology by regulating the development of reproductive organs. In females, AMH inhibits the growth of immature follicles, ensuring that only a specific number of follicles are available for maturation and ovulation. In males, AMH is essential for the development of male reproductive organs during embryonic development.
Application: The measurement of AMH in biological samples, such as blood or reproductive tract fluids, is used in research to assess reproductive status and investigate fertility.
Sample Material: Blood
Selected publications from our laboratory::
- Drummer C; Münzker J; Heistermann M; Becker T; Mißbach S; Behr R. (2022) Performance of marmoset monkeys as embryo donors is reflected by different stress-related parameters. Animals 12: 2414
Albumin
What is Albumin: Albumin is a water-soluble protein synthesized primarily in the liver and found in human blood plasma. It plays an essential role in several physiological processes, including maintaining colloid osmotic pressure, facilitating transport functions, and binding various molecules.
Application: Albumin in urine serves as a clinical marker that provides insights into health conditions. Normally, albumin should be present in the urine only in very small amounts or not at all. Elevated levels of albumin in urine, known as albuminuria, can indicate a range of health issues.
Sample material: Urine
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Jaffe JE; Mätz-Rensing K; Ulrich M; Gräßle T; Behringer V; Wittig RW; Leendertz FH. (2024) Chronic kidney disease and kidney stone in a wild chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) in Côte D'Ivoire. J. Med. Primatol. 53(5): e12739
Androgens
What are Androgens: Androgens are a group of steroid hormones that play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of male characteristics. They are primarily produced in the testes, with smaller amounts synthesized in the adrenal glands. The most well-known androgens include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). These hormones affect tissues throughout the body and influence many physiological processes, including muscle growth, bone density, and reproductive organ function. Androgens also serve important functions in females and are frequently measured to gain insights into reproductive processes, behavior, and how the body responds to stressors.
Application: The measurement of androgens is conducted in behavioral biology and veterinary medicine to understand aggression, social behavior, and reproductive cycles. In veterinary care, as well as in animal husbandry and breeding, analyzing androgens can help provide a better understanding of an animal's health status, hormonal cycle, and reproductive behavior.
Sample material: Blood, saliva, urine and feces (in these samples, antibodies can bind both specifically and non-specifically, allowing metabolite detection)
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Fürtbauer I; Heistermann M; Schülke O; Ostner J. (2013) Female fecal androgens prior to the mating season reflect readiness to conceive in reproductively quiescent wild macaques. Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 151: 311-315
C-peptide
What is C-Peptide: C-Peptide is a peptide produced during insulin biosynthesis. It is cleaved from the proinsulin molecule along with insulin and released into the bloodstream in equimolar amounts. Unlike insulin, however, C-Peptide is not metabolized in the liver and has a longer half-life, making it a more reliable indicator of insulin secretion.
Application: Measuring C-Peptide in blood or urine provides insights into the body’s insulin production and the function of pancreatic beta cells. Additionally, it serves as a stable basis in research on reproductive endocrinology and stress metabolism to assess metabolic changes in response to diseases or physiological stress.
Sample material: Urine
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Touitou S, Heistermann M, Schülke O, Ostner J. (2021) The effect of reproductive state on activity budget, feeding behavior, and urinary C-peptide levels in wild female Assamese macaques. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 75: 128
- Fürtbauer I; Christensen C; Bracken A; O`Riain JM; Heistermann M; King A. (2020) Energetics at the urban edge: Environmental and individual predictors of urinary C-peptide levels in wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus). Horm. Behav. 126: 104846
- Higham JP, Girard-Buttoz C, Engelhardt A, Heistermann M. (2011) Urinary C-peptide of insulin as a non-invasive marker of nutritional status: some practicalities. PLOS One 6 (7), e22398
- Girard-Buttoz C, Higham JP, Heistermann M, Wedegärtner S, Maestripieri D, Engelhardt A .(2011) Urinary c-peptide measurement as a marker of nutritional status in macaques. PLOS One 6 (3), e18042
Cross-linked C-telopeptide of Type I Collagen (CTX-I)
What is CTX-I: CTX-I is a degradation product of type I collagen, which is predominantly found in bone and connective tissue. It is released during the breakdown of collagen molecules and is used as a marker for bone resorption.
Application: CTX-I is an important marker for bone metabolism. It is commonly used to assess conditions such as osteoporosis and to monitor bone healing. Additionally, CTX-I is useful in investigating inflammatory diseases and monitoring bone resorption during pregnancy and lactation. Measuring CTX-I provides valuable insights into bone resorption.
Sample material: Urine (CTX-I can also be measured in blood, but we have not conducted this analysis yet)
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Behringer V; Sonnweber R; Hohmann G; Stevens JMG; Verspeek J; Kivell TL. (2024) A non‐invasive measure of bone growth in mammals: Validating urinary CTX‐I as a bone resorption marker through long‐bone growth velocity in bonobos. Ecol. Evol. 14(9): e70326
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S)
What is DHEA-S: DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate) is a sulfate ester of the steroid hormone DHEA, primarily produced in the adrenal cortex. Due to its sulfation, DHEA-S is a stable form of DHEA that serves as a storage form in the blood. This stability makes it particularly suitable for analysis, as it remains relatively constant and is not subject to large fluctuations. In the blood of mammals, DHEA-S is the most abundant adrenal androgen and is not bound to specific proteins. Additionally, DHEA-S acts as a precursor for the synthesis of sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.
Application: DHEA-S levels decline with age, making this measurement an important parameter in aging research. Furthermore, DHEA-S is used in the study of stress load and hormonal disorders such as Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal insufficiency. It can also be used to investigate adrenal function.
Sample material: Urine
Selected publication:
- Behringer V, Hohmann G, Stevens J.M.G, Weltring A, Deschner T. (2012). Adrenarche in bonobos (Pan paniscus): evidence from ontogenetic changes in urinary dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels. J. Endocrinol. 214, 55–65
Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
What is IgA: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a valuable antibody that plays a crucial role in the immune system. It is primarily found in mucous membranes, which protect the body from pathogens. IgA is mainly produced in a secretory form, meaning it is present in various bodily fluids derived from these mucous membranes. It forms the first line of defense against infections by binding to microbes and preventing their attachment and entry into tissues.
Application: The measurement of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in feces and saliva is used in research to study the immune response in various diseases. Elevated levels of IgA in feces can indicate an active immune response and are frequently used to assess the immune system of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in inflammatory bowel diseases. In saliva, IgA measurement helps assess the immune response in the mucous membranes, which are critical for protecting against respiratory infections and other pathogenic agents.
Sample material: Saliva and feces
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Pethig L; Behringer V; Kappeler P.M; Heistermann M. (2024) Establishment and validation of fecal secretory immunoglobulin A measurement for intestinal mucosal health assessment in wild lemurs. Am. J. Primatol. 86(12): e23694
- Behringer V; Müller-Klein N; Strube C; Schülke O; Heistermann M; Ostner J. (2021) Responsiveness of fecal immunoglobulin A to HPA-axis activation limits its use for mucosal immunity assessment. Am. J. Primatol. 83: e23329
Glucocorticoids including cortisol
What are Glucocorticoids: Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex that play a crucial role in metabolism, immune response, and the regulation of inflammation. The most well-known glucocorticoids are cortisol and cortisone. These hormones influence a variety of physiological processes, including the regulation of blood sugar levels, protein and lipid metabolism, and the body’s stress response.
Application: The measurement of glucocorticoids can provide valuable information about an individual’s physiological status, particularly regarding stress exposure and health conditions.
Samle material: Blood (serum, plasma), saliva, urine, and feces
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Christensen C; Bracken AM; O`Rian MJ; Heistermann M; King A; Fürtbauer I. (2024) More allogrooming is followed by higher pyhsiological stress in wild female baboons. Biol. Lett. 20(8): 20240163
- Stranks J; Heistermann M; Sangmaneedet S; Schülke O; Ostner J. (2024) The dynamics of sociality and glucocorticoids in wild Assamese macaques.Horm. Behav. 164: 105604
- Sonnweber R; Hohmann G; Stevens JMG; Deschner T; Fruth B; Fiedler A; Nurmi N; Behringer V. (2023) Average phenotype but not plasticity in two metabolic hormones co-vary in wild female bonobos (Pan paniscus).Front. Ecol. Evol. 11: 1300003
- Bertrand DA; Berman CM; Heistermann M; Agil M; Sutiah U; Engelhardt A. (2023) Effects of tourism and researcher presence on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in wild, habituated Sulawesi crested macaques (Macaca nigra). Animals 13: 2842
- Anzà S; Schneider D; Daniel R; Heistermann M; Sangmaneedet S; Ostner J; Schülke O. (2023) The long-term bacterial gut signature of a wild primate is associated with a timing effect of pre- and postnatal maternal glucocorticoid levels. Microbiome 11: 165
- Thierry B; Rebout N; Heistermann M. (2023) Hormonal responses to mating competition in male Tonkean macaques. Horm. Behav. 154: 105395
- Drummer C; Münzker J; Heistermann M; Becker T; Mißbach S; Behr R. (2022) Performance of marmoset monkeys as embryo donors is reflected by different stress-related parameters. Animals 12: 2414
- Christensen C; Bracken AM; O`Riain MJ; Heistermann M; King AJ; Fürtbauer I. (2022) Simultaneous investigation of urinary and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations reveals short- versus long-term drivers of HPA-axis activity in a wild primate (Papio ursinus). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 318: 113985
- Hambrecht S; Oerke A-K; Heistermann M; Hartig J; Dierkes PW. (2021) Effects of positive reinforcement training and novel object exposure on salivary cortisol levels under consideration of individual variation in captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana). Animals 11: 3525
- Rincon AV; Heistermann M; Schülke O; Ostner J. (2020) Testosterone and cortisol are negatively associated with ritualized bonding behavior in male macaques. Psychoneuroendocrinology 120:104774
Neopterin
What is Neopterin: Neopterin is a pteridine produced during the activation of the cellular immune system. It is a derivative of guanosine triphosphate, primarily produced by macrophages. In immunological diseases, infections, and certain cancers, neopterin is released in larger quantities. Therefore, the concentration of neopterin in blood or urine can serve as an indicator of cellular immune activity and is used to monitor immune status as well as assess inflammatory processes.
Application: Monitoring of cellular immune response. It is measured, for example, in relation to diseases, the establishment of the immune system after birth, and changes in immune response during pregnancy.
Sample material: Blood (serum, plasma) and urine
Selected publications from our laboratory
- Behringer V; Deimel C; Ostner J; Fruth B; Sonnweber R. (2024) Modulation of cell mediated immunity during pregnancy in wild bonobos. Biol. Lett. 20:20230548
- Kreyer M; Behringer V; Deimel C; Fruth B. (2023) Neopterin levels in bonobos vary seasonally and reflect symptomatic respiratory infections. EcoHealth 20: 93-104
- Behringer V; Berghänel A; Deschner T; Lee SM; Fruth B; Hohmann G. (2022) Transition to siblinghood causes substantial and long-lasting physiological stress reactions in wild bonobos. eLife 11: e77227
- Negrey JD; Behringer V; Langergraber KE; Deschner T. (2021). Urinary neopterin of wild chimpanzees at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda, indicates sex-biased cell-mediated immune activity and human-like senescence. Sci. Rep. 11:9298
- Behringer V; Deimel C; Stevens JMG; Kreyer M; Lee S; Hohmann G; Fruth B; Heistermann M. (2021) Cell-mediated immune ontogeny is affected by sex but not environmental context in a long-lived primate species. Front. Ecol. Evol. 9: 629094
- Müller N; Heistermann M; Strube C; Schülke O; Ostner J. (2017). Age, but not anthelmintic treatment, is associated with urinary neopterin levels in semi-free ranging Barbary macaques. Sci. Rep. 7: 41973
- Heistermann M; Higham JP. (2015) Urinary neopterin, a non-invasive marker of mammalian cellular immune activation, is highly stable under field conditions. Sci. Rep. 5: 16308
Estrogens
What are Estrogens: Estrogens are a group of steroid hormones primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of female sexual characteristics and reproductive functions. They play a central role in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty. The most important natural estrogens in the body are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3), with estradiol being the most biologically active hormone. Estrogens also have effects outside the reproductive system. They influence bone metabolism by inhibiting bone resorption, thereby maintaining bone density, and they have vascular-protective effects.
Application: In practice, the measurement of estrogens is used for the diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions, including cycle and pregnancy monitoring, menopause, and osteoporosis.
Sample material: Urine and feces
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Lee DS; Knittel T; Deschner T; Heistermann M; Higham JP. (2022) Testing the role of testosterone versus estrogens in mediating reproductive transitions in female rhesus macaques. Horm. Behav. 139: 105123
- Hidayatik N; Agil M; Heistermann M; Iskandar E; Yusuf TL; Sajuthi D. (2018) Assessing female reproductive status of spectral tarsier (Tarsius tarsier) using fecal steroid hormone metabolite analysis. Am. J. Primatol. 80: e22917
- Higham JP, Heistermann M, Saggau C, Agil M, Perwitasari-Farajallah D, Engelhardt A. (2012) Sexual signalling in female crested macaques. BMC Evolutionary Biology 12: 89
- Pfefferle D, Heistermann M, Pirow R, Hodges JK, Fischer J. (2011) Estrogen and progestogen correlates of the structure of female copulation calls in semi-free-ranging Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Int. J. Primatol. 32: 992-1006
- Fürtbauer I, Schülke O, Heistermann M, Ostner J. (2010) Reproductive and life history parameters of wild female Macaca assamensis. Int J Primatol 31: 501-517
- Brauch K, Hodges JK, Engelhardt A, Fuhrmann K, Shaw E, Heistermann M (2008): Sex-specific reproductive behaviours and paternity in free-ranging Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 62, 9: 1453-1466
- Gerber P; Moisson P; Heistermann M. (2004) Urinary progestogen and estrogen excretion during pregnancy in Eulemur macaco flavifrons, E. rubriventer, and Hapalemur griseus occidentalis. Int. J. Primatol. 25, 449–463
Progesterone
What is Progesterone: Progesterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the corpus luteum of the ovaries and in the placenta during pregnancy. It plays a central role in the female reproductive system, particularly in preparing and maintaining the uterine lining for the implantation of the fertilized egg. Due to this function, it is often referred to as the "pregnancy hormone," as its levels continue to rise during pregnancy and are crucial for sustaining the pregnancy. In the context of the menstrual cycle, progesterone levels drop sharply at the end of the cycle if fertilization has not occurred, leading to menstruation. In addition to its role in the reproductive system, progesterone also acts in the brain and nervous system, influencing mood and cognitive functions.
Application: Progesterone monitoring is used to diagnose pregnancies or for cycle monitoring.
Sample material: Urine and feces (in both substances, we measure antibodies that specifically and also nonspecifically bind, allowing for metabolite detection)
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Higham JP; Heistermann M; Agil M; Perwitasari-Farajallah D; Widdig A; Engelhardt A. (2021) Female fertile phase synchrony, and male mating and reproductive skew, in the crested macaque. Sci. Rep. 11: 4251
- Bernaldo de Quirós E; Wheeler BC; Hammerschmidt K; Heistermann M; Tiddi B. (2018) Do sexual calls in female black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) vary with fertility? An acoustic analysis. Am. J. Primatol. 80: e22920
- Hidayatik N; Agil M; Heistermann M; Iskandar E; Yusuf TL; Sajuthi D. (2018) Assessing female reproductive status of spectral tarsier (Tarsius tarsier) using fecal steroid hormone metabolite analysis. Am. J. Primatol. 80: e22917
- Tiddi B; Wheeler B; Heistermann M. (2015) Female behavioral proceptivity functions as a probabilistic signal of female fertility, not female quality, in a New World primate. Horm. Behav. 73: 148-155
- Young C, Majolo B, Heistermann M., Schülke O, Ostner J. (2013) Male mating behavior in relation to female sexual swellings, socio-sexual behavior and hormonal changes in wild Barbary macaques. Horm. Behav. 63: 32-39
- Higham JP, Heistermann M, Saggau C, Agil M, Perwitasari-Farajallah D, Engelhardt A. (2012) Sexual signalling in female crested macaques. BMC Evolutionary Biology 12: 89
Testosterone
What is Testosterone: Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, primarily produced in the testes but also found in smaller amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands. It belongs to the class of androgens and plays a central role in the development of male sexual characteristics, including the maturation of the reproductive organs and the promotion of muscle and bone growth. Testosterone is also important in women, as it contributes to maintaining health and well-being at lower concentrations.
Application: Studies on aggression, dominance, and social interactions in both animals and humans often involve measuring testosterone to understand its connection to behavior. In animal breeding or behavioral biology, measuring testosterone can help study reproductive cycles or behaviors. In aging research, testosterone levels are often examined to understand how they change over the lifespan and what impact this has on health.
Sample material: Blood, urine, and feces (in both the latter substances, we measure antibodies that specifically and also nonspecifically bind, allowing for metabolite detection)
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Rincon AV; Heistermann M; Schülke O; Ostner J. (2020) Testosterone and cortisol are negatively associated with ritualized bonding behavior in male macaques. Psychoneuroendocrinology 120:104774
- Kalbitzer U; Heistermann M; Cheney D; Seyfarth RM; Fischer J. (2015) Social behavior and patterns of testosterone and glucocorticoid levels differ between male chacma and Guinea baboons. Horm. Behav. 75: 100-110
Total Triiodothyronine (Total T3)
What is Total T3: Total T3 is a thyroid hormone that plays an important role in metabolism, energy production, thermoregulation, and growth regulation. It is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine and is biologically more active than its precursor T4 (thyroxine). An essential component of thyroid hormones is iodine, which is necessary for their synthesis. Total T3 includes both bound and free T3.
Application: Measuring T3 can be used to assess the health of individuals or monitor their growth. Since T3 affects the basal metabolic rate (BMR), it is an indicator of energy consumption. This plays a crucial role in thermoregulation and allows for the study of physiological adaptations to changing temperatures, such as cold or heat stress.
Sample material: Urine and feces (since we measure in feces and urine, we capture total T3, not just free T3)
Selected publications from our laboratory:
- Behringer V; Heistermann M; Malaivjitnond S; Schülke O; Ostner J. (2023) Developmental and environmental modulation of fecal thyroid hormone levels in wild Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis). Am. J. Primatol. 85: e23530
- Touitou S; Heistermann M; Schülke O; Ostner J. (2021) Triiodothyronine and cortisol levels in the face of energetic challenges from reproduction, thermoregulation and food intake in female macaques. Horm. Behav. 131: 104968
- Sadoughi B; Girard-Buttoz C; Engelhardt A; Heistermann M; Ostner J. (2021) Non-invasive assessment of metabolic responses to food restriction using urinary triiodothyronine and cortisol measurement in macaques. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 306: 113736