Non-invasive monitoring of steroid hormones in wildlife for conservation and management of endangered species — A review

ABSTRACT

Global ecosystems and their constituent flora and fauna are experiencing a decline of biodiversity due to destruction of habitats, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. Of late, the number of species that have become critically endangered has increased extremely, and these species need to be protected from extinction in the wild. The conservation efforts should involve both in situ, and ex situ conservation and management of populations. Conservation physiology, an emerging multidisciplinary field, helps conservationists understand the physiological responses of endangered species due to the changes in the environment and thereby look for possible options of intervention to save them from extinction. This review summarizes various non-invasive hormone methods and endocrine studies involved in the conservation of endangered animals. The non-invasive hormone method has been successfully used in understanding basic reproductive biology, pregnancy diagnostics and welfare of a wide range of animals in captivity and in free-ranging habitats. This technique would directly or indirectly help in the conservation of endangered animals. This review also sheds light on non-invasive hormone monitoring in effective management and conservation of the endangered species.