In the Endocrinology Lab, the Zoo InternQuest interns tested our skills. One technique, called the immunoassay, is done by mixing natural hormones and radioactively prepared hormones together. You get the hormones from a sample, which could be urine, blood, or other things that can be excreted by the body.

Lauren, a Photo Team member, demonstrates the rhinoceros poop-sifting technique. This was done by dumping a freeze-dried sample into a mesh funnel and grinding it so that the powdered droppings, which contain hormones, fall through and the grass and other thick matter stay on top.

Marika and Keesha, conservation team members, are performing a tritiated radioimmunoassay to isolate the progesterone hormone, which helps the endocrinology team determine if an animal is pregnant.

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