Not Just Corticosterone: Further Characterization of the Endocrine Response of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) Reveals Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations During Field Capture Events
To develop safe and effective management policies, it is important to understand the physiologic effects of fishing interactions and scientific research methods on endangered marine species. In the present study, validated assays for plasma corticosterone, free thyroxine (fT4), and aldosterone were...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/600 |
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| author | Charles J. Innis Katherine M. Graham Cody R. Mott Kristen M. Hart David Roche Michael S. Cherkiss Elizabeth A. Burgess |
| author_facet | Charles J. Innis Katherine M. Graham Cody R. Mott Kristen M. Hart David Roche Michael S. Cherkiss Elizabeth A. Burgess |
| author_sort | Charles J. Innis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | To develop safe and effective management policies, it is important to understand the physiologic effects of fishing interactions and scientific research methods on endangered marine species. In the present study, validated assays for plasma corticosterone, free thyroxine (fT4), and aldosterone were used to assess the endocrine status of 61 presumed healthy, wild Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) that were captured for separate ecological studies using two capture methods (trawl net n = 40; manual capture n = 21). Plasma hormone concentrations were also assessed in relation to eight clinical plasma biochemical analytes. Corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations were moderately high after capture, with significantly higher concentrations in turtles captured by trawl net vs. manual capture. Free thyroxine concentrations were within previously published ranges for healthy individuals of this species. Clinical biochemical data revealed moderately elevated potassium and lactate concentrations in many individuals, with significantly greater lactate concentrations in trawl-captured turtles. Aldosterone concentrations were positively correlated with corticosterone. The results of the present study indicate that Kemp’s ridley sea turtles have robust adrenocortical activity immediately after capture, resulting in high plasma concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone. Researchers who use such methods to access sea turtles can consider these results in planning careful and efficient field studies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-99a9012178be41b78259a2a2c7f5c18a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-99a9012178be41b78259a2a2c7f5c18a2025-08-20T03:11:03ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-02-0115460010.3390/ani15040600Not Just Corticosterone: Further Characterization of the Endocrine Response of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) Reveals Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations During Field Capture EventsCharles J. Innis0Katherine M. Graham1Cody R. Mott2Kristen M. Hart3David Roche4Michael S. Cherkiss5Elizabeth A. Burgess6Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA 02110, USAAnderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA 02110, USAInwater Research Group, Inc., Jensen Beach, FL 34957, USAWetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Davie, FL 33314, USAWetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Davie, FL 33314, USAWetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Davie, FL 33314, USAAnderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA 02110, USATo develop safe and effective management policies, it is important to understand the physiologic effects of fishing interactions and scientific research methods on endangered marine species. In the present study, validated assays for plasma corticosterone, free thyroxine (fT4), and aldosterone were used to assess the endocrine status of 61 presumed healthy, wild Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) that were captured for separate ecological studies using two capture methods (trawl net n = 40; manual capture n = 21). Plasma hormone concentrations were also assessed in relation to eight clinical plasma biochemical analytes. Corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations were moderately high after capture, with significantly higher concentrations in turtles captured by trawl net vs. manual capture. Free thyroxine concentrations were within previously published ranges for healthy individuals of this species. Clinical biochemical data revealed moderately elevated potassium and lactate concentrations in many individuals, with significantly greater lactate concentrations in trawl-captured turtles. Aldosterone concentrations were positively correlated with corticosterone. The results of the present study indicate that Kemp’s ridley sea turtles have robust adrenocortical activity immediately after capture, resulting in high plasma concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone. Researchers who use such methods to access sea turtles can consider these results in planning careful and efficient field studies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/600Kemp’s ridley sea turtle<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>hormoneadrenalaldosteronecorticosterone |
| spellingShingle | Charles J. Innis Katherine M. Graham Cody R. Mott Kristen M. Hart David Roche Michael S. Cherkiss Elizabeth A. Burgess Not Just Corticosterone: Further Characterization of the Endocrine Response of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) Reveals Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations During Field Capture Events Animals Kemp’s ridley sea turtle <i>Lepidochelys kempii</i> hormone adrenal aldosterone corticosterone |
| title | Not Just Corticosterone: Further Characterization of the Endocrine Response of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) Reveals Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations During Field Capture Events |
| title_full | Not Just Corticosterone: Further Characterization of the Endocrine Response of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) Reveals Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations During Field Capture Events |
| title_fullStr | Not Just Corticosterone: Further Characterization of the Endocrine Response of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) Reveals Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations During Field Capture Events |
| title_full_unstemmed | Not Just Corticosterone: Further Characterization of the Endocrine Response of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) Reveals Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations During Field Capture Events |
| title_short | Not Just Corticosterone: Further Characterization of the Endocrine Response of Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (<i>Lepidochelys kempii</i>) Reveals Elevated Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations During Field Capture Events |
| title_sort | not just corticosterone further characterization of the endocrine response of kemp s ridley sea turtles i lepidochelys kempii i reveals elevated plasma aldosterone concentrations during field capture events |
| topic | Kemp’s ridley sea turtle <i>Lepidochelys kempii</i> hormone adrenal aldosterone corticosterone |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/600 |
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