Although conventional blood sampling can be used to collect hormone data in some tractable species, like elephants, it often is inappropriate for others. Thus, much of her work focuses on developing non-invasive methods for obtaining biologically relevant data, primarily by analyzing steroidal metabolites excreted in feces. Her data demonstrate the diversity of reproductive strategies observed among species, and are proving invaluable for determining the impact of husbandry practices on stress, well-being and reproduction. She also has served as a reproductive advisor to the Elephant Species Survival Plan management committee since 1997, working with zoological institutions to improve management and, thereby, increase the reproductive rate of captive elephants. C.M. Wemmer and J. Lehnhardt.
Urinary cortisol analyses for monitoring adrenal activity in elephants.
D.E. Wildt, N. Wielebnowski, K.L. Goodrowe, L.H. Graham, S. Wells and J.G. Howard. Wasser, S.L., S. Papageorge, C. Foley and J.L. Brown. Brown, J.L. and D.E. Wildt. 1997. Development of faecal steroid assays for assessing ovarian function in non-domestic felid species. Wielebnowski, N. and J.L. Brown.