Graduation Year
2025
Date of Submission
12-2024
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Chemistry
Second Department
Biology
Reader 1
Sarah Budischak
Reader 2
Bethany Caulkins
Abstract
This study explored the effect of medicinal plants on the health of wild mice. Relationships between diet, immune function, and parasite load in Peromyscus maniculatus were studied at the Robert J. Bernard Field Station in Claremont, CA. Mouse fecal and blood samples were collected in 2019 (n = 9), and plant samples were gathered in 2024 (n = 11). Fecal and plant samples were analyzed through NMR metabolomics to determine consumption of medicinal plants. Fecal egg count and white blood cell differentials were conducted to determine the health of the sampled animals. This study concluded that the metabolite eugenol is associated with a trend in decreased systemic stress. Larger mice had increased systemic stress biometrics, potentially due to unhealthy excess weight being carried on the mouse. Future directions include increasing the sample size and working with freshly collected samples to further explore the trends found in this study.
Recommended Citation
Achilles, Daphne; Caulkins, Bethany; Melnikoff, Finley; and Budischak, Sarah, "NMR Fecal Metabolomics of Peromyscus maniculatus" (2025). CMC Senior Theses. 3849.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3849
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
