Validating a Non-Invasive Method for Assessing Cortisol Concentrations in Scraped Epidermal Skin from Common...

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Animal Physiology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Growing concern for cetacean welfare in captivity and the wild.
• Physiological stress response is key to cetacean conservation and welfare.
• Epidermal cortisol extraction offers a non-invasive measure of stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• Validate a cortisol extraction protocol and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for cetacean epidermal samples.
• Assess the impact of sample mass and body location on cortisol concentrations.
• Contribute to standardizing epidermal hormone assessments in cetaceans.

Main Methods:

• Validated a steroid hormone extraction protocol.
• Utilized a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for cortisol quantification.
• Collected and analyzed epidermal samples from bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales, examining effects of sample mass and body location.

Main Results:

• The method proved suitable for quantifying cortisol in epidermal samples.
• Cortisol was extractable from small sample masses (0.01 g).
• Cortisol concentrations in bottlenose dolphins varied significantly by individual but not by body location.

Conclusions:

• The validated method provides a reliable, non-invasive tool for assessing cetacean stress.
• Standardized protocols are crucial for accurate epidermal hormone analysis in conservation and welfare studies.
• This research advances the non-invasive monitoring of physiological stress in cetaceans.