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Assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis)
Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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University of Pretoria
2024
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| _version_ | 1867613484236144640 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Ganswindt, Andre |
| author_browse | Ganswindt, Andre |
| author_facet | Ganswindt, Andre |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/96893 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:52.833Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publishDateRange | 2024 |
| publishDateSort | 2024 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/96893 Assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis) Ganswindt, Andre estefanpieterse1@gmail.com Vermeulen, Els Pieterse, Estefan UCTD Glucocorticoids hormone monitoring physiological stress southern right whale longitudinal profiles baleen Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. Marine mammals are subject to a variety of anthropogenic and natural stressors. However, it is still poorly understood how these stressors may affect physiological adaptations including affecting reproductive biology. Due to the association between glucocorticoids and the general health and wellbeing of animals, the monitoring of stress responses in mammals which trigger the production of glucocorticoids has grown in popularity in conservation studies. In the 1950s, the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis, hereafter SRWs) was given legal protection against whaling after which populations gradually increased again. Long-term annual arial surveys along the South African calving ground have, however, uncovered some drastic changes in the demographics of the South African population of SRWs, including a reduced reproductive rate and overall reduced body condition. In this regard, it would be important to gain a better understanding on the physiological responses of these whales to stressors as to gain an insight in the biological consequences of increased pressures on their environment. Therefore, this study aimed to look at longitudinal glucocorticoid (bGC) profiles in baleen plates of male and female SRWs and assess the relationship with reproductive hormones (androgens (bA) and progestogens (bP) respectively). A biological validation established a corticosterone assay's appropriateness for quantifying bGC metabolites in SRW baleen. Further results indicated a strong correlation between bGC and bP concentrations in females. Males ii with low levels of bA and bGC, and only a few brief moments of heightened bGC raised the questions of male sexual maturity and how they may respond to mating behaviours. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of SRW physiological responses to stressors and will aid in further research on the effects of anthropogenic pressures on their environment. University of Pretoria Whale Unit Zoology and Entomology MSc (Zoology) Unrestricted Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences 2024-07-10T08:43:39Z 2024-07-10T08:43:39Z 2024-09 2024-07-08 Dissertation * S2024 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/96893 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.26205500.v1 10.25403/UPresearchdata.26205500 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Glucocorticoids hormone monitoring physiological stress southern right whale longitudinal profiles baleen Assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis) |
| title | Assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis) |
| title_full | Assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis) |
| title_fullStr | Assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis) |
| title_short | Assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis) |
| title_sort | assessing longitudinal profiles of glucocorticoid concentrations in the baleen of male and female southern right whales eubalaena australis |
| topic | UCTD Glucocorticoids hormone monitoring physiological stress southern right whale longitudinal profiles baleen |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/96893 |