Further characterization of adrenocortical and thyroid hormone concentrations of leatherback turtles (<i>Dermochelys coriacea</i>) under various stressors, including validation of a plasma aldosterone assay.

ABSTRACT: Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are endangered by anthropogenic threats. Characterizing the physiologic response of leatherback turtles under various stressors may inform conservation strategies. In this study, a commercially available enzyme immunoassay for aldosterone was validated for leatherback turtle plasma, and it was used with previously validated assays for corticosterone and free thyroxine (fT4) to evaluate the physiologic status of leatherback turtles that were entangled in fishing gear, stranded on shore, nesting or intentionally captured at sea during ecologic studies. Mean aldosterone concentrations were significantly higher in entangled turtles (156 ± 102 pg/ml), stranded turtles (274 ± 165 pg/ml) and intentionally captured turtles (457 ± 464 pg/ml) than in

SUBMITTER: Innis CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11646118 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature