Blubber cortisol is hihgly associated with circulating cortisol in mediterranean stranded dolphins. Could it be used to determine sudden death?

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Validating a Non-Invasive Method for Assessing Cortisol Concentrations in Scraped Epidermal Skin from Common Bottlenose Dolphins and Belugas

Our society is increasingly concerned about the well-being of animals like dolphins, which can be affected by life under professional human care or by anthropogenic disturbances in the wild. To better understand and improve their welfare, scientists are exploring new, non-invasive methods to study the response to stressors in these animals. This research introduces an approach for measuring the stress response by analysing cortisol from epidermis samples, a method that does not require invasive procedures. We developed and tested a reliable technique to extract and measure cortisol levels from the epidermis of common bottlenose dolphins and belugas. Our findings show that this method works well and is accurate, even with very small epidermis samples. We also found that the amount of stress hormones can vary depending on the individual animal but not necessarily where the body sample was taken. This study is a step forward in non-invasively studying and enhancing the welfare of cetaceans, offering insights into their stress levels in a way that is safer and more comfortable for them, which could ultimately lead to better care and conservation practices for these species. Society is showing a growing concern about the welfare of cetaceans in captivity as well as cetaceans in the wild threatened by anthropogenic disturbances. The study of the physiological stress response is increasingly being used to address cetacean conservation and welfare issues. Within it, a newly described technique of extracting cortisol from epidermal desquamation may serve as a non-invasive, more integrated measure of a cetacean's stress response and welfare. However, confounding factors are common when measuring glucocorticoid hormones. In this study, we validated a steroid hormone extraction protocol and the use of a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test to measure cortisol concentrations in common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) epidermal samples. Moreover, we examined the effect of sample mass and body location on cortisol concentrations. Validation tests (i.e., assay specificity, accuracy, precision, and sensitivity) suggested that the method was suitable for the quantification of cortisol concentrations. Cortisol was extracted from small samples (0.01 g), but the amount of cortisol detected and the variability between duplicate extractions increased as the sample mass decreased. In common bottlenose dolphins, epidermal skin cortisol concentrations did not vary significantly across body locations while there was a significant effect of the individual. Overall, we present a contribution towards advancing and standardizing epidermis hormone assessments in cetaceans

Validen un mètode no invasiu que mesura l'estrès en dofins i belugues

Un estudi del Centre d'Educació en Benestar Animal de la UAB valida un nou mètode no invasiu per a mesurar cortisol en l'epidermis de dofins mulars i belugues, oferint una alternativa menys estressant a tècniques tradicionals. Aquest avanç promet millorar el benestar animal en zoològics o aquaris i transformar els estudis de conservació.Un estudio del Centro de Educación en Bienestar Animal de la UAB valida un nuevo método no invasivo para medir cortisol en la epidermis de delfines mulares y belugas, ofreciendo una alternativa menos estresante a técnicas tradicionales. Este avance promete mejorar el bienestar animal en zoológicos o acuarios y transformar los estudios de conservación.A study by the Center for Animal Welfare Education at UAB validates a new non-invasive method for measuring cortisol in the epidermis of bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales, offering a less stressful alternative to traditional techniques. This breakthrough promises to improve animal welfare in zoos or aquariums and transform conservation studies

Influence of sample location on blubber cortisol concentration in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) : The importance of the reference denominator

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