A Practical Field Extraction Method for Non-invasive Monitoring of Hormone Activity in Animals

摘要

Non-invasive hormone analysis of captive and wild animals can be beneficial in understanding an animal's adrenal and reproductive status, which can be beneficial to in situ and ex situ conservation, and to understanding individuals' responses to their environment. However, direct sampling from the animals can be difficult and thus the analysis of faecal samples is common place away from controlled laboratory conditions. However, the use of faecal samples presents many challenges in terms of sample stability, health and safety issues, and transportation issues in particular when electricity is not readily available for in situ analysis to occur. This article will look at the various modes by which a sample can be stored and subsequently analysed and how the use of solid phase extraction has radically altered the approach to sample handling in the conservation of animals.