Whiskers as a novel tissue for tracking reproductive and stress-related hormones in North Pacific otariid pinnipeds.

ABSTRACT: Keratinized tissues, including whiskers, are ideal for acquiring a record of physiological parameters. Most tissues provide a snapshot of physiological status; however, whiskers may support longitudinal sampling for reproductive and stress-related hormones, if hormones are incorporated as whiskers grow and concentrations change with physiological state. Whiskers from female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) were serially sectioned and pulverized and steroid hormones were extracted. Standard methods were used to validate enzyme immunoassay kits for cortisol, progesterone, 17β-estradiol and testosterone. All hormones were measurable in whisker segments from both species with progesterone concentrations showing cyclical patterns,

SUBMITTER: Keogh MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7808128 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature