Assessment of Stress on Serum Estradiol and Cortisol Levels in Female Subordinate Naked Mole Rats Following Isolation from Natal Colony

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the effects of isolation of subordinate naked mole rats from natal colonies on their reproductive success. The study aimed at establishing whether the reproductive suppression in subordinate naked mole rats is the outcome of social stress exerted by breeding female in the colony or other unknown environmental factors within the colony set-up. Blood samples from experimental and control groups were collected on 2nd, 4th, 6th , 8th, 12th and 20th weeks of experimental period for hormonal analysis using ELISA technique. The Statistical analysis done using student t-test at 5% significance level. Results: Hormone analysis showed significant change in both cortisol (t = 8.74, P=0.01) and estradiol (t=7.15, P=0.02) of subordinate isolated females. Results showed no correlation between stress and cyclicity. Conclusively, the observed reproductive suppression among subordinate naked mole rats in natal colonies is probably due to presence of queen or other reproductive aspects that may not be directly related to stress.