Cetaceans are exposed to multiple anthropogenic stressors that may disrupt hormonal balance, notably through elevated release of circulating stress hormones, such as catecholamines and glucocorticoids. While stress response mechanisms are vital in the short term, prolonged stress can have serious health implications including impaired immunity. Yet, cause-effect relationships and mechanistic understanding about the impacts of...

Marine mammals are exposed to increasing intensities of anthropogenic stressors such as acoustic disturbance and contaminants. Correlative studies have suggested concerning shifts in behavioral and physiological status of stress-exposed individuals, which could alter the health and survival of marine mammal populations. However, functional studies of the effects of multiple stressors on marine mammals are lacking. To fill in t...