Validating the Novel Method of Measuring Cortisol Levels in Cetacean Skin by use of an ACTH Challenge in Bottlenose Dolphins

Abstract

Our research group, under PI Thea Bechshft, has recently shown that it is possible to extract and measure cortisol in cetacean skin (Bechshoft et al. Submitted). The goal of the current project is to validate this novel method by measuring baseline cortisol levels in cetacean skin and demonstrating the correlation between an acute stress exposure and the ensuing skin cortisol response. At the conclusion of the project period, we expect to have provided a greater understanding of a) the relationship in cetaceans between blood cortisol levels and skin cortisol levels , b) the period of time it takes before an acute stress response is measurable in the cetacean skin matrix, and c) cetacean baseline cortisol levels in skin, as well as inter-and intra-individual fluctuations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2014
Accession Number
ADA617785

Entities

People

  • Thea Beachshoft

Organizations

  • Aarhus University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Anatomy
  • Animals
  • Biological Sciences
  • Cells (Biology)
  • Cetaceans
  • Cortisol
  • Data Analysis
  • Eukaryotes
  • Information Operations
  • Mammals
  • Marine Mammals
  • New Zealand
  • Porpoises
  • Stress Tests
  • Universities

Readers

  • Marine Mammal Biology
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.