Effects of blood extraction and ecophysiological experiments on stress in adult males of Liolaemus attenboroughi

Stress during laboratory experiments can affect the outcomes of ecophysiological studies. The serum corticosterone concentration (CORT), the leukocyte profile, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L), and the presence of blood endoparasites were analyzed as a proxy of stress and immunological state in adult males of the lizard Liolaemus attenboroughi, endemic to Patagonia, Argentina. The results of the ecophysiological variables (preferred temperature, running speed, locomotor endurance, and body condition index, BCI) were analyzed in relation to stress indicators obtained from blood samples taken at three different times: at capture, and on the third and seventh days in the laboratory. Males at capture showed a high percentage of lymphocytes and heterophils and a low of basophils, monocytes, and eosinophils. Haemogregorina-type endoparasites have been recorded in the genus Liolaemus for the first time. The proportion of infected males remained stable during captivity; however, these males showed higher CORT levels, increased percentages of basophils, and decreased percentages of lymphocytes. There was a significant increment in CORT and H/L, and a decrease in BCI during laboratory experiments, compared with baseline values at capture. The performance was not related to the CORT or the repeated blood sampling. The BCI decreased, possibly due to energy reserve mobilization caused by acute stress. This study shows that blood extraction and ecophysiological experiments over 7 days have a minor effect on the stress indicators used.