A New Research Tool for Use in Sharks and Rays: Relevance of Reproductive Hormone Levels in the Skin of Small-Spotted Catshark (<i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i>)
The present study marks a significant step forward in validating the use of skin biopsies for measuring reproductive steroid hormones in sharks. Given the conservation concerns surrounding many chondrichthyan species and the growing emphasis on adhering to the 3R principles in wildlife research, we...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Annaïs Carbajal Isabel González Lobato Clara Agustí Marta Muñoz-Baquero Paula Serres-Corral Manel López-Béjar |
| author_facet | Annaïs Carbajal Isabel González Lobato Clara Agustí Marta Muñoz-Baquero Paula Serres-Corral Manel López-Béjar |
| author_sort | Annaïs Carbajal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The present study marks a significant step forward in validating the use of skin biopsies for measuring reproductive steroid hormones in sharks. Given the conservation concerns surrounding many chondrichthyan species and the growing emphasis on adhering to the 3R principles in wildlife research, we should prioritize the acquisition of data through non-destructive or minimally invasive sampling techniques collected remotely. Dart skin biopsy samples can be collected remotely, without the need to chase, capture, and restrain the animal. Accordingly, the present study aimed to (i) develop a suitable extraction and analytical technique for reproductive hormone determination in shark skin biopsies and (ii) evaluate whether sex steroid hormones detected in shark skin differ between males and females and depending on males’ maturity. The results of assay validation demonstrated that the commercial enzyme immunoassay used can provide reliable measures of progesterone, 17β-estradiol, and testosterone measured in shark skin extracts. After ensuring that reproductive hormones are accurately measured in this sample type, we compared hormone levels between males (mature and immature) and females to evaluate the variation in reproductive hormones relative to sex and males’ maturity stage. We detected significant differences in skin hormone levels between sexes, suggesting that this technique may be a promising alternative approach for obtaining relevant biological data in free-ranging sharks. By employing this novel technique, we expect to gain a deeper understanding of the reproductive processes of living chondrichthyans, which is essential for formulating effective science-based conservation and management strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fe4989ed114840259e9aa5d8e379d92b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-fe4989ed114840259e9aa5d8e379d92b2025-08-20T02:05:23ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-03-0115576210.3390/ani15050762A New Research Tool for Use in Sharks and Rays: Relevance of Reproductive Hormone Levels in the Skin of Small-Spotted Catshark (<i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i>)Annaïs Carbajal0Isabel González Lobato1Clara Agustí2Marta Muñoz-Baquero3Paula Serres-Corral4Manel López-Béjar5Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainAssociació Aletea, 17488 Cadaqués, SpainAssociació Aletea, 17488 Cadaqués, SpainFundació Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana, Research Department, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, 46005 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainDepartment of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainThe present study marks a significant step forward in validating the use of skin biopsies for measuring reproductive steroid hormones in sharks. Given the conservation concerns surrounding many chondrichthyan species and the growing emphasis on adhering to the 3R principles in wildlife research, we should prioritize the acquisition of data through non-destructive or minimally invasive sampling techniques collected remotely. Dart skin biopsy samples can be collected remotely, without the need to chase, capture, and restrain the animal. Accordingly, the present study aimed to (i) develop a suitable extraction and analytical technique for reproductive hormone determination in shark skin biopsies and (ii) evaluate whether sex steroid hormones detected in shark skin differ between males and females and depending on males’ maturity. The results of assay validation demonstrated that the commercial enzyme immunoassay used can provide reliable measures of progesterone, 17β-estradiol, and testosterone measured in shark skin extracts. After ensuring that reproductive hormones are accurately measured in this sample type, we compared hormone levels between males (mature and immature) and females to evaluate the variation in reproductive hormones relative to sex and males’ maturity stage. We detected significant differences in skin hormone levels between sexes, suggesting that this technique may be a promising alternative approach for obtaining relevant biological data in free-ranging sharks. By employing this novel technique, we expect to gain a deeper understanding of the reproductive processes of living chondrichthyans, which is essential for formulating effective science-based conservation and management strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/762non-invasive samplereproductiontestosteroneprogesterone17β-estradiolchondrichthyans |
| spellingShingle | Annaïs Carbajal Isabel González Lobato Clara Agustí Marta Muñoz-Baquero Paula Serres-Corral Manel López-Béjar A New Research Tool for Use in Sharks and Rays: Relevance of Reproductive Hormone Levels in the Skin of Small-Spotted Catshark (<i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i>) Animals non-invasive sample reproduction testosterone progesterone 17β-estradiol chondrichthyans |
| title | A New Research Tool for Use in Sharks and Rays: Relevance of Reproductive Hormone Levels in the Skin of Small-Spotted Catshark (<i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i>) |
| title_full | A New Research Tool for Use in Sharks and Rays: Relevance of Reproductive Hormone Levels in the Skin of Small-Spotted Catshark (<i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i>) |
| title_fullStr | A New Research Tool for Use in Sharks and Rays: Relevance of Reproductive Hormone Levels in the Skin of Small-Spotted Catshark (<i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i>) |
| title_full_unstemmed | A New Research Tool for Use in Sharks and Rays: Relevance of Reproductive Hormone Levels in the Skin of Small-Spotted Catshark (<i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i>) |
| title_short | A New Research Tool for Use in Sharks and Rays: Relevance of Reproductive Hormone Levels in the Skin of Small-Spotted Catshark (<i>Scyliorhinus canicula</i>) |
| title_sort | new research tool for use in sharks and rays relevance of reproductive hormone levels in the skin of small spotted catshark i scyliorhinus canicula i |
| topic | non-invasive sample reproduction testosterone progesterone 17β-estradiol chondrichthyans |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/762 |
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