Reproductive Hormone Extraction from Black Rhinoceros Faeces using the Omni Micro Homogenizer (µHb) and Omni Tip™ Plastic Generator Probes

The black rhinoceros is an endangered species with population numbers dramatically decreasing in the 20th century by more than 97%. Successful conservation efforts increased the black rhinoceros population from 2,410 in 1995 to 4,880 individuals in 2010. A component of the ongoing conservation efforts are studies aimed at understanding black rhino reproductive physiology. There is still a poor understanding of the factors that impact black rhino reproductive success, due in some part to their long gestation periods and low population densities. With this in mind, non-invasive techniques have been developed to monitor reproduction in free-ranging black rhinoceros populations.

The study performed by Freeman et al involved the extraction and quantification of the reproductive hormones, progestagen and androgen, from black rhino faeces collected at the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Hormone levels were correlated with season, location, climate, age and reproductive status of the animal. While the publication encompasses a comprehensive review of black rhinoceros hormone levels as a function of environment, for the purpose of this notes we simply summarize the Omni micro homogenizer based hormone extraction procedure and correlation of hormone levels with temperature as described in the study.

Figure 2. Faecal progestagen metabolite concentrations as a function of temperature.