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Determination of steroid hormones in whale blow: It is possible

  1. C. J. Hogg1,
  2. T. L. Rogers1,
  3. A. Shorter2,
  4. K. Barton2,
  5. P. J. O. Miller3,
  6. D. Nowacek4

Article first published online: 6 FEB 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00277.x

Issue

Marine Mammal Science

Marine Mammal Science

Volume 25, Issue 3, pages 605–618, July 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Hogg, C. J., Rogers, T. L., Shorter, A., Barton, K., Miller, P. J. O. and Nowacek, D. (2009), Determination of steroid hormones in whale blow: It is possible. Marine Mammal Science, 25: 605–618. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00277.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, and School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia E-mail: c.hogg@unsw.edu.au

  2. 2

    Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois 61801, U.S.A.

  3. 3

    School of Biology, University of St. Andrew's, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS, Scotland

  4. 4

    Duke University Marine Lab, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, North Carolina 28516, U.S.A.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 JUL 2009
  2. Article first published online: 6 FEB 2009
  3. Received: 5 November 2008Accepted: 5 November 2008

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Keywords:

  • blow;
  • whale;
  • testosterone;
  • progesterone

Abstract

The feasibility of using analysis of hormone content of whale blow samples to assess reproductive function is addressed. A suitable collection method and analytical technique using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been developed. Blow samples were collected opportunistically from free-ranging humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) (n= 35) and North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) (n= 18) using a 13-m carbon fiber pole with a collection device. Samples were analyzed for the presence of testosterone and progesterone using a 55% isocratic gradient with LC-MS. Testosterone was detected in four humpback whale samples and eight northern right whale samples. Progesterone was detected in seven humpback whale samples and eight northern right whale samples. This is the first documented use of lung mucosa to determine the presence of reproductive hormones in any free-swimming cetacean and may provide a novel non-invasive technique to quantify the hormonal condition of free-swimming animals that spend brief periods of time at the water's surface.

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