Ammonia Accumulation as a Proxy to Determine Cage-change Frequency in Antelope Ground Squirrels (<i>Ammospermophilus leucurus</i>).

ABSTRACT: Due to a lack of evidence-based standards for cage-change intervals for antelope ground squirrels (AGS, Ammospermophilus leucurus), we evaluated cage ammonia accumulation in our colony of adult, wild-caught AGS and identified factors that influenced ammonia levels. Intracage ammonia was measured daily in singly housed AGS in static caging that contained a running wheel and 1/2, 3/4, 1, or 2 quart (qt) of corncob bedding. Cages were changed when ammonia levels reached greater than 50ppm, our upper acceptable limit for ammonia based on mouse studies of ammonia aversion and toxicity. We also measured average daily water consumption over 2 wk to examine any correlation between water use and ammonia accumulation. We hypothesized that the desert-dwelling AGS would not reach intracage ammo

SUBMITTER: Ellis MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11193419 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature