Development of Novel Noninvasive Methods of Stress Assessment in Baleen Whales

Abstract

Project goals were to test new methods for assessing stress-related hormones in respiratory vapor (blow) and feces from North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). We tested and compared three blow sampling devices, and successfully performed blow collection at sea from live whales. Blow hormone content, when corrected with a suitable internal control(e .g. urea) , may reflect physiological state of the whales. Fecal mineralocorticoids (fMC) were quantifiable in whale feces,and , complementing existing glucocorticoid techniques, could be used to assess adrenal activity. Together, respiratory and fecal analyses could help assess physiological stress in whales at different timescale after disturbance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2016
Accession Number
AD1023925

Entities

People

  • Elizabeth Burgess
  • Kathleen E. Hunt
  • Rosalind M. Rolland
  • Scott D. Kraus

Organizations

  • New England Aquarium

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alcohols
  • Aldosterone
  • Animals
  • Cetaceans
  • Cortisol
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Sets
  • Hormones
  • Liquid Chromatography
  • Mammals
  • Marine Mammals
  • Materials
  • Odontocetes
  • Physiology
  • Stress (Physiology)
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Whales

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Marine Mammal Biology
  • Neuroscience