Fecal steroid hormones reveal reproductive state in female blue whales sampled in the Gulf of California, Mexico

General and Comparative Endocrinology
Marcia Valenzuela-MolinaRobert L Brownell

Abstract

Steroid hormone assessment using non-invasive sample collection techniques can reveal the reproductive status of aquatic mammals and the physiological mechanisms by which they respond to changes in their environment. A portion of the eastern North Pacific blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) population that seasonally visits the Gulf of California, Mexico has been monitored using photo-identified individuals for over 30 years. The whales use the area in winter-early spring for nursing their calves and feeding and it therefore is well suited for fecal sample collection. Using radioimmunoassays in 25 fecal samples collected between 2009 and 2012 to determine reproductive state and stress, we validated three steroid hormones (progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol) in adult female blue whales. Females that were categorized as pregnant had higher mean fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations (1292.6 ± 415.6 ng·g-1) than resting and lactating females (14.0 ± 3.7 ng·g-1; 23.0 ± 5.4 ng·g-1, respectively). Females classified as pregnant also had higher concentrations of corticosterone metabolites (37.5 ± 9.9 ng·g-1) than resting and lactating females (17.4 ± 2.0 ng·g-1; 16.8 ± 2.8 ng·g-1, respectively). In contrast, cortisol metab...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 6, 2019·Acta Parasitologica·Lavinia Flores-CascanteDiane Gendron
Nov 10, 2020·Marine Environmental Research·Geraldine Busquets-VassDiane Gendron
Dec 12, 2020·Conservation Physiology·Leila S LemosLeigh G Torres
Apr 6, 2019·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Kathleen E HuntRosalind M Rolland
Oct 28, 2019·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Thomas M GalliganLori H Schwacke
Mar 14, 2021·International Journal for Parasitology·Elizabeth M WarburtonBoris R Krasnov
Aug 27, 2021·MethodsX·Abbey E WilsonDavid M Janz

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