17/09/2015
Pregnancy Tests for Belugas
This project is being led by researcher Véronique Lesage (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) in collaboration with the GREMM, Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia and Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. The objective is to determine whether the proportion of female belugas that are pregnant is comparable to the figure which might be expected in a healthy population, i.e. about one third of adult females.
The project is in its third year and runs from approximately September 8 to 25. This period is scheduled quite far from the peak for births (July) in order to produce a representative picture and hope for favourable weather conditions for the offshore team combing beluga habitat aboard the Bleuvet. Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries and the level of which varies depending on whether or not the female is pregnant. These variations are detectable in tiny fat samples that can be taken during biopsies. The collected biopsies can also be used for other projects on the beluga nutrition, physiological condition, contamination or genetics. After a one week of work, 22 biopsies have already been successfully completed. The team is satisfied with the course of events and is hopeful that it will continue until the end!
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