ELISA & Nitrogen Blowdown for Stress Monitoring in Sheep
In this interview, Morgan Davies, a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), discusses her innovative work on using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and nitrogen blowdown evaporation techniques to monitor stress in sheep by quantifying cortisol levels in wool samples. This research is vital for understanding how environmental stressors affect livestock and how we can breed animals better suited for future climate conditions.
Research Focus: Cortisol Quantification in Sheep Wool
Morgan Davies’ research centers on using ELISA to measure cortisol concentrations in wool samples taken from sheep extensively reared on farms in Eureka, Nevada. Cortisol is a key stress hormone that can provide insights into the overall stress load an animal is experiencing. By analyzing cortisol extracted from wool, Davies is able to monitor the stress patterns these animals encounter throughout the year.
The wool samples come from Merino sheep, a breed known for producing high-quality wool. These sheep face numerous stressors, including limited nutrition, pests, extreme heat, and long distances to resources. Tracking cortisol levels helps identify periods of heightened stress and offers valuable data for assessing animal welfare.
One of the goals of the study is to pinpoint which animals are coping better with these stressors. By understanding the biological resilience of certain individuals, the research aims to improve breeding programs and livestock management strategies. The project also explores epigenetic markers—modifications in genes that may be influenced by stress pathways—and how these markers differ between stressed and less stressed sheep.
The Role of Nitrogen Blowdown Evaporators in Sample Preparation
To prepare the wool samples for ELISA analysis, Davies uses nitrogen blowdown evaporation to concentrate cortisol extracts efficiently. This process involves using a nitrogen evaporator to remove solvents from the samples without affecting the integrity of the cortisol, ensuring accurate measurements.
The nitrogen blowdown method accelerates the sample preparation process while maintaining sample quality, which is crucial when working with delicate biological extracts like cortisol. Organomation’s nitrogen evaporators, which UNR employs for this research, enable high-throughput processing of multiple samples, making the workflow both efficient and scalable.
Broader Implications for Livestock and Climate Resilience
Morgan Davies' research is not only about monitoring stress but also about contributing to a larger effort to prepare livestock for climate change. As Nevada and other western states face hotter, drier conditions, understanding how livestock can adapt to these environmental changes is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
UNR, which owns several sheep farms across Nevada, is heavily invested in breeding livestock that can thrive under future climate stressors. The data collected from cortisol analysis and epigenetic studies will help identify resilient animals, potentially leading to breeding programs focused on developing sheep that are better equipped to handle harsh conditions.
Conclusion
Morgan Davies’ research has the potential to revolutionize how livestock are managed in the face of climate change. By monitoring stress levels through cortisol concentrations in wool and using advanced nitrogen blowdown techniques to prepare samples, her work offers insights into improving animal welfare and livestock breeding strategies. This innovative research aligns with the broader agricultural goals of enhancing livestock resilience in the face of a changing climate.
To learn more about how ELISA and nitrogen evaporators are being used in this groundbreaking work, watch the full interview above!