Naturally stressed? Glucocorticoid profiles in blubber of blue and gray whales in response to life history parameters.

ABSTRACT: The goal of the present study was to carry out a thorough methodological validation and describe baseline profiles for glucocorticoid hormones (cortisol and corticosterone) in blubber from blue (n = 77) and gray (n = 103) whales from the eastern North Pacific Ocean. For each species, we modelled cortisol and corticosterone concentrations in response to life history parameters (age, sex, reproductive status) and season or geographic location. In blue whales, cortisol concentrations did not vary significantly by age class, sex, or reproductive status, whereas corticosterone was significantly lower in immature than in adult females (p < .001). In gray whales, cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in lactating whales (p < .05), while corticosterone was s

SUBMITTER: Melica V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9815209 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature