Endocrine Profiling of Endangered Tropical Chelonians Using Noninvasive Fecal Steroid Analyses

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the feasibility of in situ endocrine profiling of the Cochin cane turtle (Vijayachelys silvatica) and the Travancore tortoise (Indotestudo travancorica) using noninvasive fecal-steroid analyses. Reproductive (testosterone, progesterone, estradiol) and stress hormones (Glucocorticoids) and their metabolites were detected in fecal samples with unambiguous signatures during their breeding seasons. We validate immunoassays for monitoring reproduction and stress level using fecal steroid analysis.