Abstract
Amphibian populations are declining globally due to numerous factors such as habitat disturbances, emergence of disease, and climate change. The stress caused by these factors can influence the endocrine system of affected individuals, resulting in changes in hormone levels associated with a “fight or flight” response. In amphibians, the primary stress hormone or glucocorticoid, corticosterone (CORT), is a quantitative marker of stress levels in the body. CORT is released into the bloodstream when faced with a stress event with the purpose of increasing the chance of survival. While the effects of corticosterone can aid in increasing survival during a stressful event, negative consequences such as immune suppression and reproductive inhibition may arise if an individual experiences long-term or chronic stress. Chronic stress experienced by multiple individuals in a population can lead to population declines, loss of genetic variation, and reduced biodiversity. Previously, the preferred method for assessing CORT levels in amphibians was blood collection and analysis, which is often lethal due to the small body size of amphibians. A novel method of swabbing the skin of amphibians was suggested to be a valid way of collecting CORT data. The goal of this project is to determine if corticosterone samples collected from green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) via dermal swabbing can be biologically validated by comparison to blood assays. This study will be conducted at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. Throughout the sampling season, green frogs will be captured, and dermal swabs and blood samples will be collected in the field. After sample collection, the individuals will be released back at the point of capture, and samples will be analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Samples will also be analyzed with an enzyme immunoassay kit to determine whether such kits could be cost-effective options in future studies.
Start Time
16-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 4:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Student Type
Graduate Student - Masters
Faculty Mentor
Joseph Bidwell
Faculty Department
Biological Sciences
Validating Dermal Corticosterone Swabs with Blood Assays in Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans)
Amphibian populations are declining globally due to numerous factors such as habitat disturbances, emergence of disease, and climate change. The stress caused by these factors can influence the endocrine system of affected individuals, resulting in changes in hormone levels associated with a “fight or flight” response. In amphibians, the primary stress hormone or glucocorticoid, corticosterone (CORT), is a quantitative marker of stress levels in the body. CORT is released into the bloodstream when faced with a stress event with the purpose of increasing the chance of survival. While the effects of corticosterone can aid in increasing survival during a stressful event, negative consequences such as immune suppression and reproductive inhibition may arise if an individual experiences long-term or chronic stress. Chronic stress experienced by multiple individuals in a population can lead to population declines, loss of genetic variation, and reduced biodiversity. Previously, the preferred method for assessing CORT levels in amphibians was blood collection and analysis, which is often lethal due to the small body size of amphibians. A novel method of swabbing the skin of amphibians was suggested to be a valid way of collecting CORT data. The goal of this project is to determine if corticosterone samples collected from green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) via dermal swabbing can be biologically validated by comparison to blood assays. This study will be conducted at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. Throughout the sampling season, green frogs will be captured, and dermal swabs and blood samples will be collected in the field. After sample collection, the individuals will be released back at the point of capture, and samples will be analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Samples will also be analyzed with an enzyme immunoassay kit to determine whether such kits could be cost-effective options in future studies.