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Wildlife Endocrine Lab

The Oregon Zoo Wildlife Endocrine Lab provides hormone monitoring services that benefit the conservation and welfare of wildlife. The lab focuses on non-invasive measures such as urine and fecal hormone metabolite monitoring utilizing enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) techniques.

Research in the endocrine lab at the Oregon Zoo.

Common applications of hormone monitoring

  • Monitoring reproductive cycles in females
  • Diagnosing and monitoring pregnancy
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of contraception
  • Examining male reproductive physiology 
  • Assessing changes in hormones due to puberty or aging
  • Assessing seasonal hormonal patterns
  • Characterizing the reproductive and stress physiology of a new species
  • Investigating hormonal responses to specific events or management decisions
  • Correlating hormones with behavior, health and environmental measures
  • Assessing the reproductive health of a captive or free-ranging population

Available assays

We currently offer the following hormone assays:

  • Progesterone (P4)
  • Estradiol (E2)
  • Testosterone (T)
  • Glucocorticoids (Corticosterone or Cortisol)

All assays are carefully monitored for precision and reproducibility.

Validated assays 

Examples of some species we have validated assays for can be viewed here. 

We are adding new species and assays on an ongoing basis. If the species you are interested in is not listed here, please contact us and we can discuss validation of an assay specifically for your needs.

Download program brochure

Prices

Fecal Hormone Analysis: $23/sample
Urine Hormone Analysis: $21/sample
Serum Hormone Analysis: $17/sample

Prices include extraction (as needed) and analysis of all samples in duplicate and re-dilutions if needed. (Bulk discounts are available for batches of 50 or more samples)

New Species Assay Validation (biochemical validation): $270

Validation includes parallelism and recovery analyses. 

Sample collection protocol and submission form available upon request. 

Please contact us for sample collection protocols and any other questions you may have regarding hormone analyses:

Candace Scarlata, Ph.D.
Wildlife Endocrinologist
candace.scarlata@oregonzoo.org
503.505.5501

Nadja Wielebnowski, Ph.D.
Animal Welfare and Research Manager 
nadja.wielebnowski@oregonzoo.org
503.505.5404

Laurel Westcott, Ph.D.
Animal Welfare Monitoring Specialist 
laurel.westcott@oregonzoo.org
503.505.5501

Shipping information

Before sending any samples, please email: candace.scarlata@oregonzoo.org to verify that we will be able to receive your samples. 

Ship via FedEx overnight on dry ice or ice packs early in the week to:

Candace Scarlata 
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Rd.
Portland, OR 97221