Establishing models of corticosteroid patterns during the life history of killer whales (Orcinus orca) under human care.

General and Comparative Endocrinology
K J Steinman, Todd R Robeck

Abstract

The use of corticosteroids and their metabolites as a physiologic measure of stress in wildlife species is increasing in both in and ex situ populations. However, factors such as season, circadian rhythm, sex and age are also known to influence corticosteroid production in wildlife. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of these variables on serum cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone and their fecal metabolites in zoo-based killer whales (Orcinus orca). For evaluation of season, sex and age, we examined 30 animals (21 females, 9 males), and for circadian rhythm, we studied 18 animals (10 females, 8 males). Season did not influence corticosteroids (P ≥ 0.19). Circadian rhythm influenced all corticosteroids (P ≤ 0.012). Serum cortisol and corticosterone were highest in the morning and lower by mid-day and evening. Serum aldosterone was lowest during mid-day and highest in the evening. Excreted corticosteroid metabolites were higher in the morning and mid-day compared to evening (P ≤ 0.002). Serum cortisol was higher in males than females (P = 0.011). The inverse was observed for fecal corticosterone metabolites (P = 0.03). Serum corticosterone increased with age in all animals (P = 0.002), but serum cortisol increased with...Continue Reading

References

Sep 25, 2002·General and Comparative Endocrinology·L Michael Romero
Feb 28, 2003·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Chadi ToumaRupert Palme
Mar 5, 2003·Hormones and Behavior·Bruce S McEwen, John C Wingfield
Feb 28, 2004·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Kathleen E Hunt, Samuel K Wasser
Aug 2, 2005·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Chadi Touma, Rupert Palme
Feb 27, 2007·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Jessica M KeayTaranjit Kaur
Mar 26, 2009·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Clarissa Bonanno, Ronald J Wapner
Jul 14, 2010·American Journal of Primatology·David J PappanoJacinta C Beehner
Dec 30, 2011·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Dorian S HouserDaniel E Crocker
Jul 12, 2012·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Todd R RobeckJustine K O'Brien
Jul 3, 2013·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Molly J Dickens, L Michael Romero
Jul 16, 2014·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Patricia A FairJohn S Reif
Jan 1, 2016·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Karen J SteinmanJustine K O'Brien
Aug 2, 2017·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Elizabeth A BurgessRosalind M Rolland
Jun 1, 2018·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Cory D ChampagneDorian S Houser
Sep 29, 2018·Science·Jean-Pierre DesforgesRune Dietz
Nov 24, 2018·Physiology & Behavior·Rupert Palme
Oct 2, 2019·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Juan J Villalba, Xavier Manteca

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Anxiety Disorders

Discover the latest research on anxiety disorders including agoraphobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder here.