Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
A method enabling simultaneous measurement of steroid hormones and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in fecal samples of killer whales (Orcinus orca) has been developed and validated with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The compounds include a suite of hormones such as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoid, androgens, estrogens, progestogens and PPCPs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antibacterial and antifungal agents. This method can be used to assess killer whale reproduction, stress and other physiological responses as well as contaminant related exposure. Further, it provides a reference method for the validation of new immunoassays such as radio immunoassay and enzyme immunoassay for the detection of steroid hormones in this matrix. The optimized method involved an extraction of the freeze-dried fecal samples with reagent alcohol and water followed by purification of the extracts by solid phase extraction with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridge and liquid–liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Reconstituted extracts were analyzed by LC–MS/MS with an electrospray interface. This method has been successfully applied to the analysis of hormones and PPCPs in killer whale fecal material in support of research and monitoring initiatives that are aimed at assessing the health of both the Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) and the Threatened Northern Resident Killer Whales. Results will support the Government of Canada’s Whales Initiative and its pursuit to assist in the recovery of SRKW.
Session Title
Endangered Species Research
Conference Track
SSE10: Contaminants
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-166
Start Date
26-4-2022 9:45 AM
End Date
26-4-2022 11:15 AM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Killer whale--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Steroid hormones--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Liquid chromatography--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Tandem mass spectrometry--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Endangered species--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Wildlife conservation--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Simultaneous determination of steroid hormones and pharmaceuticals and personal care products with LC–MS/MS in feces of killer whales (Orcinus orca)
A method enabling simultaneous measurement of steroid hormones and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in fecal samples of killer whales (Orcinus orca) has been developed and validated with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The compounds include a suite of hormones such as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoid, androgens, estrogens, progestogens and PPCPs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antibacterial and antifungal agents. This method can be used to assess killer whale reproduction, stress and other physiological responses as well as contaminant related exposure. Further, it provides a reference method for the validation of new immunoassays such as radio immunoassay and enzyme immunoassay for the detection of steroid hormones in this matrix. The optimized method involved an extraction of the freeze-dried fecal samples with reagent alcohol and water followed by purification of the extracts by solid phase extraction with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridge and liquid–liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Reconstituted extracts were analyzed by LC–MS/MS with an electrospray interface. This method has been successfully applied to the analysis of hormones and PPCPs in killer whale fecal material in support of research and monitoring initiatives that are aimed at assessing the health of both the Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) and the Threatened Northern Resident Killer Whales. Results will support the Government of Canada’s Whales Initiative and its pursuit to assist in the recovery of SRKW.
