Application of endocrine biomarkers to update information on reproductive physiology in gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus).

ABSTRACT: Most of our knowledge on reproductive biology of gray whales dates back to scientific research conducted during commercial whaling in the late 1950s and 1960s. The goal of the present study was to provide updated insights on reproductive physiology of gray whales, using progesterone and testosterone as biomarkers. We measured hormone concentrations using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) techniques in blubber biopsies collected from 106 individual whales from March to November over a span of 12 years (2004-2016) between California and Alaska. We found testosterone concentrations in males to increase significantly with age (P = 0.03). Adult males showed significantly elevated testosterone concentrations when sampled in the fall compared to the summer (P = 0.01), likely indicating physiological prepa

SUBMITTER: Melica V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8330940 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature