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Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experiences online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!
Sought after for their impressive horns, all species of rhinos are heavily poached for traditional Asian medicines. It is believed that the rhino horn can reduce fevers, cure the common cold, and even cure cancer. However, their horn is only keratin—the same as our fingernails and hair. Given the dire circumstances of this species, the San Diego Zoo is leading the charge in global rhino conservation. Even though rhino conservation may seem dim and bleak, there is still hope in the form of Scientist Chris Tubbs and Senior Research Associate Rachel Felton. Both Dr. Tubbs and Ms. Felton are Comparative Endocrinologists for the Institute of Conservation Research.
Dr. Tubbs’ niche lies where endocrinology, the study of hormones, overlaps with the reproduction of endangered species. Using the context of Dr. Tubbs’ favorite rhino project, the scientists expanded on how endocrinologists study hormones. Often transported through the bloodstream, hormones are chemical messengers produced from various glands in the body, and then received by a corresponding receptor on a target cell—similar to a lock and key mechanism. Upon contact with the right receptor, hormones activate cellular pathways performing various actions like regulating blood sugar levels or stimulating the fight-or-flight response. However, the problem is that oftentimes chemicals in our environment can act as hormones and inhibit or cause unintended responses. In the southern white rhino, Dr. Tubbs connected a decline in rhino fertility with chemicals in the environment, specifically phytoestrogens, which inhibit pregnancy.
Dr. Tubbs and Ms. Felton observe menstrual cycling and pregnancies by monitoring the rise and fall of a hormone called progesterone from samples of feces and urine. Interns had the opportunity to measure these hormone levels as an endocrinologist would do by carefully dropping one milliliter of a color indicator into a sample within a test tube. After we had our samples fully mixed, we compared the colors to a set of controlled colors. Once our own data had been gathered and graphed, we compared our own data to other rhino samples and learned that elevated progesterone levels corresponded to the rhino’s gestation period, or time pregnant. We also found that a trend made up of many data points was necessary to rule out regular menstrual cycling. This data is vital to understanding rhino reproduction because it allows scientists like Dr. Tubbs to monitor rhino ovulation. By monitoring ovulation, scientists have a better idea when an individual is ready to breed. Additionally, monitoring progesterone levels can take the guesswork out of determining when rhinos are pregnant and their respective due date.
While the complexities of hormone research can be a bit overwhelming, Dr. Tubbs urges that the average person can play a role in conserving endangered species. We can reduce our use of hormone imitating chemicals, and most importantly, properly dispose of the chemicals we do use on a regular basis. Remember, we are not the only ones to inhabit the Earth, so we must do our part in any way we can to prevent our chemicals from harming our planet.
Gianfranco, Real World Team
Week Two, Winter Session 2017
Sought after for their impressive horns, all species of rhinos are heavily poached for traditional Asian medicines. It is believed that the rhino horn can reduce fevers, cure the common cold, and even cure cancer. However, their horn is only keratin—the same as our fingernails and hair. Given the dire circumstances of this species, the San Diego Zoo is leading the charge in global rhino conservation. Even though rhino conservation may seem dim and bleak, there is still hope in the form of Scientist Chris Tubbs and Senior Research Associate Rachel Felton. Both Dr. Tubbs and Ms. Felton are Comparative Endocrinologists for the Institute of Conservation Research.
Dr. Tubbs’ niche lies where endocrinology, the study of hormones, overlaps with the reproduction of endangered species. Using the context of Dr. Tubbs’ favorite rhino project, the scientists expanded on how endocrinologists study hormones. Often transported through the bloodstream, hormones are chemical messengers produced from various glands in the body, and then received by a corresponding receptor on a target cell—similar to a lock and key mechanism. Upon contact with the right receptor, hormones activate cellular pathways performing various actions like regulating blood sugar levels or stimulating the fight-or-flight response. However, the problem is that oftentimes chemicals in our environment can act as hormones and inhibit or cause unintended responses. In the southern white rhino, Dr. Tubbs connected a decline in rhino fertility with chemicals in the environment, specifically phytoestrogens, which inhibit pregnancy.
Dr. Tubbs and Ms. Felton observe menstrual cycling and pregnancies by monitoring the rise and fall of a hormone called progesterone from samples of feces and urine. Interns had the opportunity to measure these hormone levels as an endocrinologist would do by carefully dropping one milliliter of a color indicator into a sample within a test tube. After we had our samples fully mixed, we compared the colors to a set of controlled colors. Once our own data had been gathered and graphed, we compared our own data to other rhino samples and learned that elevated progesterone levels corresponded to the rhino’s gestation period, or time pregnant. We also found that a trend made up of many data points was necessary to rule out regular menstrual cycling. This data is vital to understanding rhino reproduction because it allows scientists like Dr. Tubbs to monitor rhino ovulation. By monitoring ovulation, scientists have a better idea when an individual is ready to breed. Additionally, monitoring progesterone levels can take the guesswork out of determining when rhinos are pregnant and their respective due date.
While the complexities of hormone research can be a bit overwhelming, Dr. Tubbs urges that the average person can play a role in conserving endangered species. We can reduce our use of hormone imitating chemicals, and most importantly, properly dispose of the chemicals we do use on a regular basis. Remember, we are not the only ones to inhabit the Earth, so we must do our part in any way we can to prevent our chemicals from harming our planet.
Gianfranco, Real World Team
Week Two, Winter Session 2017
