INVESTIGADORES
PONZIO Marina Flavia
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Advances in non-invasive hormone monitoring of birds and mammals of the southern South America: Development of a technical platform for reproductive and stress research in Argentina.
Autor/es:
BUSSO JM; RUIZ R.D.; BROWN JL; MARIN RH; MARTELLA MB; PONZIO MF; DOMINCHIN MF; EGUIZABAL GB; VILLAREAL D; PALME R
Lugar:
Chicago
Reunión:
Conferencia; 4th International Society of Wildlife Endocrinologists Annual Meeting. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, USA.; 2013
Institución organizadora:
International Society of Wildlife Endocrinologists
Resumen:
In continental terms, southern South America constitutes a peninsula. The dominant feature of this portion is the Andes Mountains, and this is associated with the Monte and Patagonian areas. In order to understand basic reproductive and stress physiology, the ability to track gonadal and adrenocortical activities is essential. Our general purpose has been the development of a technical platform for reproductive and stress research by applying non-invasive hormone monitoring, helping different scientists to explore the biology of endemic avian and mammalian species. The specific objective was to briefly revise all scientific studies applying non-invasive hormone monitoring in Argentina. Since 1998 , we have received intensive training from international research centers, and are developing some of the first Ph.D. studies (n=6) involving local students. We are also conducting collaborative experiments investigating basic and applied questions about reproductive and stress functions of chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) from the Andes, collared anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) from the Montes, and mara (Dolichotis patagonum) from Patagonia. We have precisely validated non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity in Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) by measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites. Additionally, we are also conducting new experiments in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), as laboratory animal model, to understand reproductive and adrenocortical activity under different environmental conditions; this is also useful to measure effects of confounding factors (photoperiod, diet, etc) on steroid measurements. Findings from these studies, some completed in collaboration with international colleagues and some conducted independently in Argentina, have greatly improved our understanding of reproductive and stress physiology in endemic species. In conclusion of this brief review, normative data about gonadal and adrenocortical activities are now available to apply in both, in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. However, while the methodology has a huge potential for further studies, no standardization currently exists between wildlife endocrinologists. At present, we consider that highly-trained researchers from South America, specifically Cordoba, could face collaborative projects with wildlife endocrinologists worldwide.