The Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) as a Model to Understand Variation in Stress and Reproductive Hormone Measures in Relation to Sampling Matrix, Demographics, and Environmental Factors
Abstract
Our overarching goal is to develop indicators and methods to quantify chronic stress in bottlenose dolphins. Much research has focused on the stimuli which induce stress in marine mammals, as well as the hormonal mediators of the stress response. Stress may be induced by a variety factors, including noise, pollutant or toxin exposure, presence of predators, loss of prey, and/or habitat changes. The stress response is complex and difficult to study experimentally in marine mammals due to ethical and logistical considerations, but it has been well characterized in other laboratory mammal species. Using the bottlenose dolphin as a model species, specific objectives of this project are as follows: (1) Determine the correlation of hormone measures (cortisol, T3, T4, FT4, reproductive hormones) between blood and blubber; (2) Develop a comprehensive understanding of factors that influence stress hormone levels and establish reference intervals for blood and blubber measurements, determining necessary stratifications by sex, age, and/or sampling season; and (3) Examine the relationships among the various hormone measures, and conduct preliminary screening analysis to examine potential relationships between the stress hormones and other health measures, including immune function.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA599708
Entities
People
- Randall S Wells
Organizations
- Mote Marine Laboratory