The quantification of reproductive hormones in the hair of captive adult brown bears and their application as indicators of sex and reproductive state.

ABSTRACT: Recognizing the potential value of steroid hormone measurements to augment non-invasive genetic sampling, we developed procedures based on enzyme-linked immunoassays to quantify reproductive steroid hormone concentrations in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair. Then, using 94 hair samples collected from eight captive adult bears over a 2-year period, we evaluated (i) associations between hair concentrations of testosterone, progesterone, estradiol and cortisol; (ii) the effect of collecting by shaving vs. plucking; and (iii) the utility of reproductive hormone profiles to differentiate sex and reproductive state. Sample requirements (125 mg of guard hair) to assay all hormones exceeded amounts typically obtained by non-invasive sampling. Thus, broad application of this approach will requ

SUBMITTER: Cattet M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5452076 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature