Month/Year of Graduation
12-2019
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Department
Neuroscience
First Advisor
Aaryn Mustoe
Abstract
The common marmoset is a good model for research because they are easy to house and have complex social relationships (French et al., 2019). Marmosets are sensitive to social isolation, and when introduced to a stressor, the HPA axis is activated (Saltzman & Abbott, 2011). The purpose of this experiment is to validate marmosets as a translational model for stress due to social relationships in humans. This is done by validating biomarker concentration levels at baseline, then comparing the concentration when introduced to a stressor. The biomarkers IL-6, CRP, IGF-1 and TNF-a were tested using a serum assay, then running the well plate under a plate reader to determine the concentration. No antibodies were detected in the marmoset samples for the biomarkers IL-6, CRP, IGF-1 and TNF-a. Chronic cortisol concentration was determined using marmoset hair samples. The high stress group for hair cortisol concentration was significantly greater than the control group, providing evidence that hair cortisol is a reliable biomarker for long-term chronic stress. Marmosets can be used as a translational animal model to further understand and study both acute and chronic stress due to social relationships and isolation.
Recommended Citation
Adhikari, Sushmita; Wulf, Mariah; Mustoe, Aaryn PhD; and French, Jeffrey PhD, "Validation of Metabolic and Immunologic Biomarkers TNF-a, IGF, IL-6, CRP and Hair Cortisol in the Common Marmoset" (2019). Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects. 77.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/university_honors_program/77