“This study is yet another example of the key role played by animals under human care in uncovering fundamental insights into the biology of their conspecifics,” says Javier Almunia, Director of Loro Parque Fundación.
A research team from the Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA) at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), working closely with Loro Parque Fundación, has for the first time provided a comprehensive description of the structure and ultrastructure of the pituitary gland in orcas (Orcinus orca). These findings represent a major step forward in understanding the neuroendocrine system of a species considered both an apex predator and a flagship for marine ecosystem conservation.
Published in the prestigious journal Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, within the Research Topic “New Insights in Marine Mammal Neurosciences,” the study marks the first dedicated investigation into the neuroendocrine system of orcas. It focuses in particular on the adenohypophysis – the anterior portion of the pituitary gland – which plays a pivotal role in essential physiological processes such as stress response, a key axis directly linked to health and welfare. The research also details the structure of the neurohypophysis and its functional connection to the hypothalamus, the central regulator of hormonal balance.
To achieve these groundbreaking results, the scientific team applied a multidisciplinary approach combining advanced techniques such as computed tomography (CT), histology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This methodology enabled an unprecedented anatomical, cellular, and subcellular characterisation, providing a solid morphological basis for future endocrinological studies on orcas and other cetaceans.
Access to valuable biological samples was made possible thanks to Loro Parque Fundación’s commitment to research and conservation. Orcas under human care, as part of a rigorous animal welfare program, allow for the collection of data and indicators that would be virtually impossible to obtain in their natural habitat due to extreme conditions and limited accessibility.
In this regard, Javier Almunia, Director of Loro Parque Fundación, stressed that “this study is yet another example of the key role played by animals under human care in uncovering fundamental findings about the biology of their conspecifics. Collaboration with universities and research centers worldwide is essential to expanding our knowledge of cetaceans.”
The research was carried out by Paula Alonso Almorox, a PhD candidate at IUSA under the supervision of Professor Antonio Fernández, with support and funding from the “la Caixa” Foundation. Alonso is the first doctoral fellow from this institution at ULPGC and the first veterinarian in Spain to receive this distinguished grant – a milestone that reinforces the One Health approach as an integrative vision of human, animal, and environmental health.
“Gaining a deeper understanding of the neuroendocrine system in cetaceans – particularly in orcas – allows us to better comprehend their physiology. Our long-term aim is to assess their health and welfare more comprehensively and rigorously, thereby contributing to the protection of a species so vital to marine ecosystems,” Alonso explained.
This work not only advances comparative neuroanatomy and veterinary medicine in marine mammals but also opens new perspectives for practical conservation measures, consolidating Loro Parque Fundación’s position as an international leader in applied marine research for the protection of biodiversity.
