DEVELOPING A METHOD TO MEASURE CORTICOSTERONE IN FECAL SAMPLES FROM THE KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE, LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII

The critically endangered sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii faces consistent stressors including habitat loss, entanglement, and cold stunning, all of which are exacerbated by the dynamic effects of climate change. These threats may lead to chronically increased levels of the stress hormone corticosterone that can suppress the immune system and increase disease susceptibility. This study validated the measurement of corticosterone in non-invasive fecal samples using a commercially-available Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). Samples were collected opportunistically from 22 L. kempii during their recovery at Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Clinic. To measure corticosterone differences throughout rehabilitation, both baseline (collected from healthy animals before release) and experimental (collected throughout rehabilation) samples were collected. After EIA validation via parallelism, recovery, and variability tests, all 71 samples were measured. Results include a significantly lower average concentration of corticosterone in baseline (1413 pg/ml) versus experimental (3391 pg/ml) samples (p<0.05), with values decreasing as animals neared clearance for release. Differences among individuals were also identified, including an individual with anomalously high values (34,924 pg/ml) that experienced long-term illness throughout the study. This study validates the use of this EIA for corticosterone measurement using non-invasive L. kempii fecal samples, methods which will next be used to monitor wild populations and ultimately aid in the conservation of this critically endangered species.  

Presentation Preference: Poster

Primary Presenter: Ciera Kelley, The University of Texas at Austin (cieramg.kelley@gmail.com)

Authors:

Ciera Kelley, The University of Texas at Austin  (cieramg.kelley@gmail.com)

Susan Smith, Mystic Aquarium  (SusanSmith@mysticaquarium.org)