Tools To Assess Animal Health

With the number of endangered species on the rise, it is important for those in captivity to be closely monitored for high stress levels as well as any reproductive issues that may arise. Stress and reproduction affect the ability of these animals to survive and thrive. Enzo Life Sciences provides a broad range of immunoassay kits for monitoring stress, reproductive physiology, health and welfare, and survival of wildlife animals. Stress has a huge impact on the well-being of both humans and animals alike. Many different factors can induce stress including environmental changes, aging, and illness. To ensure the long-term health of a species population, one can measure hormone levels and gain insight into animal reproductive cycles. This insight will tell caretakers they are fertile and ready for breeding. Animals in captivity are most at risk. If these animals are not closely monitored, chronic stress may lead to diminished immune function, vulnerability to infection, and coronary disease.


Our most popular ELISAs for the quantification of 17β-estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and corticosterone have been cited in numerous publications and protocols shared by zoos, aquariums, and conservation scientists worldwide, allowing us to create and share an extensive database of knowledge for methods that benefit creatures both large and small. The long term elevation of stress related hormones can be detrimental on the life of the animals. Chronic stress results in a change in biological function, depleting an animal of resources that would have gone to managing the activity of the hypothalamus and pituitary hormone control centers. These centers control the hormones necessary for reproduction and they are crucial for ensuring the continuation of all species.

Our highly sensitive Corticosterone ELISA Kit is a colorimetric competitive enzyme immunoassay routinely used to monitor stress levels in animals. This is a high throughput kit with results in less than 3 hours. The absorbance is read at 405 nm and has low cross-reactivity with related steroids. The broad dynamic range makes this kit ideal for a wide variety of sample matrices from any species.










Every species has its own unique reproductive cycle which is dependent on biology and environment. To ensure the long-term health of a species population, one can measure hormone levels and gain insight into animal reproductive cycles to ensure they are fertile and ready for breeding. Our Oxytocin ELISA kit is a highly sensitive, specific and flexible alternative to more costly and time-consuming methods for oxytocin detection. The colorimetric competitive enzyme immunoassay kit provides results overnight + 1 hour. Absorbance is read at 405 nm. Very low reactivity with vasopressin provides confidence in assay results. We provide ready-to-use liquid color-coded reagents that help reduce errors in the lab.





Additionally, our Corticosterone ELISA Kit was utilized in a method pertaining to wildlife biomonitoring by Matas, et al. This study highlights the direct linear correlation of body size to the amount of corticosterone found in small quantities of chameleon claw tissue. In other words, an increase in chameleon size leads to an increase in corticosterone. Knowledge obtained regarding the trend of corticosterone and other hormones in animals provide a basis to support decisions regarding wildlife population management.


Enzo Life Sciences provides a comprehensive portfolio of widely cited immunoassay kits. Hormone analysis continues to be widely accepted for monitoring stress response and evaluating reproductive health on wildlife. Non-invasive sampling methods have gained popularity in the last few decades for monitoring stress, reproductive physiology, animal behavior, and overall animal health. Enzyme immunoassays continue to be the non-invasive method of choice for endocrine monitoring. Further details can be found on our Wildlife Endocrinology platform page. Please contact our Technical Support Team for further assistance and check out our TechNotes, an easy way for you to see how Enzo Life Sciences is living up to our motto: Scientists Enabling Healthcare™.

Analyte	Validated Samples	Species
Aldosterone ELISA Kit	Plasma, serum, and urine	Species Independent
Angiotensin II ELISA Kit	Plasma and serum	Species Independent
Corticosterone ELISA Kit	Culture supernatants, plasma, serum, saliva, and feces	Species Independent
Cortisol ELISA Kit	Culture supernatants, plasma, serum, saliva, and urine	Species Independent
Direct 8-iso-PGF₂α ELISA Kit	Plasma, serum, and tissue lysate	Species Independent
DHEA ELISA Kit	Culture supernatants, plasma, serum, saliva, and urine	Species Independent
Direct 8-iso-PGF₂α ELISA Kit	Plasma, serum, and tissue lysate	Species Independent
17β-Estradiol ELISA kit	Culture supernatants and saliva	Species Independent
17β-Estradiol high sensitivity ELISA kit	Plasma and serum	Species Independent
Oxytocin ELISA Kit	Culture supernatants, serum, saliva, urine, cerebral spinal fluid	Species Independent
Progesterone ELISA Kit	Culture supernatants, serum, and saliva	Species Independent
Arg⁸-Vasopressin ELISA Kit	Culture supernatants, plasma, and serum	Species Independent
Testosterone ELISA Kit	Culture supernatants, plasma, serum, and saliva	Species Independent
Testosterone High Sensitivity ELISA Kit	Plasma, serum and urine	Species Independent

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