The San Diego Zoo's Conservation and Research for Endangered Species: Divisions & Staff
Mother and infant white rhino

Endocrinology

The Endocrinology Division at the San Diego Zoo’s CRES focuses on expanding understanding of the reproductive biology of exotic species by hormonal monitoring. Its studies are aimed at measuring excreted steroid metabolites that allow for the assessment of reproduction and stress in a wide variety of species in a non-invasive manner. Initial validations of methodology established in the captive setting can easily be transferred to studies of species in the wild. The Endocrinology Division has developed techniques for ovulation detection, pregnancy diagnosis, and prediction of parturition, and performs diagnostic procedures that identify the reproductive and adrenal status of a wide variety of species including mammalian, avian, and reptilian taxa.

Studies of species in the wild can give researchers the knowledge of their natural biology such as seasonal patterns, cycle length, and stress responses. This knowledge can subsequently be used to improve the captive management of zoo animals. In addition, the Endocrinology Division has been involved in developing and monitoring safe and reversible birth control methods to help manage both wild and captive populations because space is limited in both areas. Finally, the Endocrinology Division provides hormone analysis services for collaborative and diagnostic projects to colleagues in zoological and academic institutions worldwide.

Staff

  • John Andy Phillips, Ph.D. (Acting Division Head)
  • Gregory A. Fetter (Research Laboratory Coordinator)
  • Marilyn Patton (Associate Researcher)
  • Rebecca Sproul (Research Laboratory Technician)
  • Anne Wallace (Research Fellow)
  • Nancy Czekela (Senior Researcher)

Recent publications

  • Patton, M., L. Penfold, and W. Jochle (2005). Contraception in Ungulates. In Contraception in Captive and Free-Ranging Wildlife ( Asa. C. and I. Porton, eds). The Smithsonian Press.
  • Penfold, L., W. Jochle, and M. Patton (2005). The use of contraceptive agents in aggression control. In Contraception in Captive and Free-Ranging Wildlife ( Asa. C. and I. Porton, eds). The Smithsonian Press.
  • Hartup, B., G. Olsen, N. Czekala, J. Paul-Murphy, and J. Langenberg (2004). Levels of fecal corticosterone in Sandhill cranes during a human-led migration. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40(2):267-272.
  • Hermes, R., T. Hildebrandt, S. Blottner, C. Walzer, S. Silinski, M. Patton, F. Schwarzenberger, and F. Göritz (2004). Reproductive soundness of captive southern and northern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum, C.s. cottoni): Evaluation of male genital tract morphology and semen quality before and after cryopreservation. Theriogenology Mooring.
  • Mooring, M., M. Patton, V. Lance, B. Hall, E. Schaad, S. Fortin, J. Jella, and K. McPeck (2004). Fecal androgens of bison bulls during rut. Hormones and Behavior 46:392-398.
  • Owen, M., R. Swaisgood, N. Czekala, K. Steinman, and D. Lindburg (2004). Monitoring Stress in Captive Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): Behavioral and Hormonal Responses to Ambient Noises. Zoo Biology 23:147-164.
  • Snyder, R., D. Lawson, A. Zhang, Z. Zhang, L. Luo, W. Zhong, X. Huang, N. Czekala, M. Bloomsmith, D. Forthman, and T. Maple (2004). Reproduction in giant pandas hormones and behavior. In Giant Pandas Biology and Conservation (Lindburg, D. and K. Baragona, eds). University of California Press.
  • Crofoot, M., M. Mace, J. Azua, and N. Czekala (2003). Reproductive assessment of the great hornbill (Buceros bicornis). Zoo Biology 22:135-145.
  • Czekala, N., E. MacDonald, K. Steinman, S. Walker, N. Garrigues, D. Olson, and J. Brown (2003). Estrogen and LH dynamics during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle in the Asian elephant. Zoo Biology 22:443-454.
  • Czekala, N., L. McGeehan, K. Steinman, L. Xuebing, and F. Gual-Sill (2003). Endocrine monitoring and its application to the management of the giant panda. Zoo Biology 22:389-400.
  • Czekala, N., K. Steinman, L. McGeehan, L. Xuebing, F. Gual-Sil, and W. Pengyan (2003). Steroid Hormone Monitoring as a Tool for the Reproductive Management of the Giant Panda. In Panda 2000:Conservation Priorities for the New Millenium (Lindburg, D. and K. Baragona, eds). The Shape of Enrichment.
  • Hagey, L. and N. Czekala (2003). Comparative urinary androstanes in the great apes. General and Comparative Endocrinology 130:64-69.
  • Durrant, B., N. Czekala, M. Olson, A. Anderson, D. Amodeo, R. Campos-Morales, F. Gual-Sil, and J. Garza (2002). Papanicolaou staining of exfoliative vaginal epitheilial cells facilitates the prediction of ovulation in the giant panda. Theriogenology 57:1855-1864.
  • Maggioncalda, A., N. Czekala, and R. Sapolsky (2002). Male Orangutan Subadulthood: A New Twist on the Relationship Between Chronic Stress and Developmental Arrest. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 118:25-32, 2002.
  • Stoinski, T., N. Czekala, K. Lukas, and T. Maple (2002). Urinary androgen and corticoid levels in captive male lowland gorillas: Age- and social group-related differences. American Journal of Primatology 56:73-87.
  • Czekala, N. and M. Robbins (2001). Assessment of Reproduction and Stress through Hormone Analysis in Wild Mountain Gorillas. In Three Decades of Mountain Gorilla Research in Karisoke (Robbins, M., P.Sicotte, and K. Stewart, eds). Cambridge Press.
  • Lance, V., M. Patton, and L. Hagey (2001). Identification of a seris of C21O2 pregnanesrom fecal extracts of a pregnant black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor). Steroids 66: 875-881.
  • McGeehan L., X. Li, L. Jackintell, S. Huang, A. Wang, and N. Czekala (2001). Hormonal and behavioral correlates of estrus in giant pandas. Zoo Biology 21:449-466.
  • Patton M., A. White, R. Swaisgood, R. Sproul, G. Fetter, J. Kennedy, M. Edwards, R. Rieches, and V. Lance (2001). Aggression control in a bachelor herd of fringe-eared oryx (Oryx gazella callotis) with melengestrol acetate behavioral and endocrine observations. Zoo Biology 20: 375-388.
  • Radcliffe, R., A. Eyres, M. Patton, N. Czekala, and R. Emslie (2001). Ultrasonographic characterization of ovarian events and fetal gestational parameters in two southern black rhinocers (Diceros bicornis minor) and correlation to fecal progesterone. Theriogenology 55:1033-1049.