Plasma Corticosterone Level as an Indicator of Stress in the Eastern Wild Turkey

Abstract

Plasma corticosterone levels were measured in 3 groups of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) by a competitive protein binding technique. Three male and 1 female turkeys were pen-reared and sampled bi-weekly for 54 wk, resulting in 112 samples. Ten male and 22 female birds were trapped and comprised the 2nd group, while the 3rd group consisted of 20 male birds killed during the spring hunting season. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the plasma corticosterone levels of pen-reared (2.13 .+-. 0.11 .mu.g corticosterone/dl plasma) and killed males (1.96 .+-. 0.13 .mu.g/dl). Other average values were: pen-reared female (2.09 .+-. 0.15 .mu.g/dl); trapped males (6.28 .+-. 0.78 .mu.g/dl); and trapped females (5.71 .+-. 0.99 .mu.g/dl). In all cases trapped birds had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) corticosterone level than did pen-reared and killed birds. No significant differences between adults and juveniles were apparent.