Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management
Ensuring the effective management of every rhinoceros population is crucial for securing a future for the species, especially considering the escalating global threat of poaching and the challenges faced in captive breeding programs for this endangered species. Steroid hormones play pivotal roles in...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/16/2583 |
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| author | Leticia Martínez Paloma Jimena de Andrés Jose Manuel Caperos Gema Silván Jesús Fernández-Morán Miguel Casares Belén Crespo Daniel Vélez Luis Sanz Sara Cáceres Juan Carlos Illera |
| author_facet | Leticia Martínez Paloma Jimena de Andrés Jose Manuel Caperos Gema Silván Jesús Fernández-Morán Miguel Casares Belén Crespo Daniel Vélez Luis Sanz Sara Cáceres Juan Carlos Illera |
| author_sort | Leticia Martínez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ensuring the effective management of every rhinoceros population is crucial for securing a future for the species, especially considering the escalating global threat of poaching and the challenges faced in captive breeding programs for this endangered species. Steroid hormones play pivotal roles in regulating diverse biological processes, making fecal hormonal determinations a valuable non-invasive tool for monitoring adrenal and gonadal endocrinologies and assessing reproductive status, particularly in endangered species. The purpose of this study was to develop a statistical model for predicting the sex of white rhinoceroses using hormonal determinations obtained from a single fecal sample. To achieve this, 562 fecal samples from 15 individuals of the <i>Ceratotherium simum</i> species were collected, and enzyme immunoassays were conducted to determine the concentrations of fecal cortisol, progesterone, estrone, and testosterone metabolites. The biological validation of the method provided an impressive accuracy rate of nearly 80% in predicting the sex of hypothetically unknown white rhinoceroses. Implementing this statistical model for sex identification in white rhinoceroses would yield significant benefits, including a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of wild populations. Additionally, it would enhance conservation management efforts aimed at protecting this endangered species. By utilizing this innovative approach, we can contribute to the preservation and long-term survival of white rhinoceros populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:11:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-02b2ed7e330b42e68e3ddcef7c8c5bec |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:11:07Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-02b2ed7e330b42e68e3ddcef7c8c5bec2023-11-18T23:57:17ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-08-011316258310.3390/ani13162583Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation ManagementLeticia Martínez0Paloma Jimena de Andrés1Jose Manuel Caperos2Gema Silván3Jesús Fernández-Morán4Miguel Casares5Belén Crespo6Daniel Vélez7Luis Sanz8Sara Cáceres9Juan Carlos Illera10Department of Animal Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainClinical Psychology Unit (UNINPSI), Department of Psychology, Comillas Pontifical University, Calle Mateo Inurria 37, 28036 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Animal Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainZoogical Area of Parques Reunidos Group, Casa de Campo s/n, 28011 Madrid, SpainBioparc Valencia, Avenida Pio Baroja 3, 46015 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Animal Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Statistics and Operational Research, Faculty of Mathematics, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Statistics and Operational Research, Faculty of Mathematics, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Animal Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Animal Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainEnsuring the effective management of every rhinoceros population is crucial for securing a future for the species, especially considering the escalating global threat of poaching and the challenges faced in captive breeding programs for this endangered species. Steroid hormones play pivotal roles in regulating diverse biological processes, making fecal hormonal determinations a valuable non-invasive tool for monitoring adrenal and gonadal endocrinologies and assessing reproductive status, particularly in endangered species. The purpose of this study was to develop a statistical model for predicting the sex of white rhinoceroses using hormonal determinations obtained from a single fecal sample. To achieve this, 562 fecal samples from 15 individuals of the <i>Ceratotherium simum</i> species were collected, and enzyme immunoassays were conducted to determine the concentrations of fecal cortisol, progesterone, estrone, and testosterone metabolites. The biological validation of the method provided an impressive accuracy rate of nearly 80% in predicting the sex of hypothetically unknown white rhinoceroses. Implementing this statistical model for sex identification in white rhinoceroses would yield significant benefits, including a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of wild populations. Additionally, it would enhance conservation management efforts aimed at protecting this endangered species. By utilizing this innovative approach, we can contribute to the preservation and long-term survival of white rhinoceros populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/16/2583reproductioncortisolprogesteroneestronetestosteronesteroid hormone metabolites |
| spellingShingle | Leticia Martínez Paloma Jimena de Andrés Jose Manuel Caperos Gema Silván Jesús Fernández-Morán Miguel Casares Belén Crespo Daniel Vélez Luis Sanz Sara Cáceres Juan Carlos Illera Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management Animals reproduction cortisol progesterone estrone testosterone steroid hormone metabolites |
| title | Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management |
| title_full | Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management |
| title_fullStr | Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management |
| title_short | Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management |
| title_sort | predicting sex in white rhinoceroses a statistical model for conservation management |
| topic | reproduction cortisol progesterone estrone testosterone steroid hormone metabolites |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/16/2583 |
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