Serum corticosterone concentrations in immature captive whitetip reef sharks, Triaenodon obesus

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Abstract
Serum concentrations of the steroid hormone corticosterone were monitored over a four‐year period in two male and two female immature captive whitetip reef sharks, Triaenodon obesus. Corticosterone concentrations in the serum ranged from 69–999 pg/ml (319.8 ± 31.9; n = 36) for males and 3–246 pg/ml (116.0 ± 15.1; n = 32) for females. Males had significantly higher values than females (P < 0.001). No significant difference was detected between females; however, a significant difference was observed between the two males. No seasonality was observed in corticosterone levels. Corticosterone levels in elasmobranchs are only 10% the levels of the principal glucocorticoid, 1α‐hydroxycorticosterone, but the assay is inexpensive and readily available, and, once individual ranges are established, the corticosterone concentrations have utility. Our data suggest that, after these baseline levels are established for individual sharks, long‐term monitoring of serum corticosterone in captive populations may be utilized to monitor health or, conversely, stress.

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