Accession Number:

AD1013971

Title:

Quantifying Stress in Marine Mammals: Measuring Biologically Active Cortisol in Cetaceans and Pinnipeds

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

University of Toronto Scarborough Toronto Canada

Personal Author(s):

• Boonstra,Rudy

Report Date:

2015-09-30

Pagination or Media Count:

4.0

Abstract:

This research will improve our ability to measure stress in marine mammals. Stress hormones glucocorticoids either cortisol or corticosterone are easily measured in blood and are an important measure of stress. However, a large proportion of glucocorticoids are bound by a protein in blood corticosteroid binding globulin, CBG and do not have immediate biological effects. Immediate biological effects are best estimated by measuring free glucocorticoid levels i.e. that hormone not bound by CBG. This project will improve the capacity of marine mammal researchers to measure free glucocorticoid levels.

Descriptors:

• marine animals
• CETACEA
• stress physiology
• hormones
• response biology
• cortisol
• physiological effects
• CORTICOSTERONE

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE