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Sun W, Guo Y, Sun X, Liu Z, Luo D, Huang N, Xu Z, Wu J, Wu Y. Alternatives Exert Higher Health Risks than Bisphenol A on Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:63-74. [PMID: 38112512 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The detrimental effects of bisphenol (BP) exposure are a concern for vulnerable species, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). To investigate the characteristics of BP profiles and their adverse impact on humpback dolphins, we assessed the concentrations of six BPs, including bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol B (BPB), and bisphenol P (BPP) in blubber (n = 26) and kidney (n = 12) of humpback dolphins stranded in the Pearl River Estuary, China. BPS accounted for the largest proportion of the total bisphenols (∑BPs) in blubber (55%) and kidney (69%). The concentration of ∑BP in blubber was significantly higher than that in the kidney and liver. The EC50 values of five BPA alternatives were lower than those of BPA in humpback dolphin skin fibroblasts (ScSF) and human skin fibroblasts (HSF). ScSF was more sensitive to BPS, BPAF, BPB, and BPP than HSF. The enrichment pathway of BPA was found to be associated with inflammation and immune dysregulation, while BPP and BPS demonstrated a preference for genotoxicity. BPA, BPP, and BPS, which had risk quotients (RQs) > 1, were found to contribute to subhealth and chronic disease in humpback dolphins. According to the EC50-based risk assessment, BPS poses a higher health risk than BPA for humpback dolphins. This study successfully evaluated the risks of bisphenols in rare and endangered cetacean cell lines using a noninvasive method. More in vivo and in field observations are necessary to know whether the BPA alternatives are likely to be regrettable substitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifang Sun
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yongwei Guo
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Xian Sun
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Dingyu Luo
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Nuoyan Huang
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Zhuo Xu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Jiaxue Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
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Armstrong HC, Russell DJF, Moss SEW, Pomeroy P, Bennett KA. Fitness correlates of blubber oxidative stress and cellular defences in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus): support for the life-history-oxidative stress theory from an animal model of simultaneous lactation and fasting. Cell Stress Chaperones 2023; 28:551-566. [PMID: 36933172 PMCID: PMC10469160 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-023-01332-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Life-history-oxidative stress theory predicts that elevated energy costs during reproduction reduce allocation to defences and increase cellular stress, with fitness consequences, particularly when resources are limited. As capital breeders, grey seals are a natural system in which to test this theory. We investigated oxidative damage (malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration) and cellular defences (relative mRNA abundance of heat shock proteins (Hsps) and redox enzymes (REs)) in blubber of wild female grey seals during the lactation fast (n = 17) and summer foraging (n = 13). Transcript abundance of Hsc70 increased, and Nox4, a pro-oxidant enzyme, decreased throughout lactation. Foraging females had higher mRNA abundance of some Hsps and lower RE transcript abundance and MDA concentrations, suggesting they experienced lower oxidative stress than lactating mothers, which diverted resources into pup rearing at the expense of blubber tissue damage. Lactation duration and maternal mass loss rate were both positively related to pup weaning mass. Pups whose mothers had higher blubber glutathione-S-transferase (GST) expression at early lactation gained mass more slowly. Higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lower catalase (CAT) were associated with longer lactation but reduced maternal transfer efficiency and lower pup weaning mass. Cellular stress, and the ability to mount effective cellular defences, could proscribe lactation strategy in grey seal mothers and thus affect pup survival probability. These data support the life-history-oxidative stress hypothesis in a capital breeding mammal and suggest lactation is a period of heightened vulnerability to environmental factors that exacerbate cellular stress. Fitness consequences of stress may thus be accentuated during periods of rapid environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly C Armstrong
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9JP, UK.
| | - Debbie J F Russell
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Simon E W Moss
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Paddy Pomeroy
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Kimberley A Bennett
- Division of Health Science, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK
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Xie Z, Zhang X, Xie Y, Wu J, Wu Y. Occurrences and potential lipid-disrupting effects of phthalate metabolites in humpback dolphins from the South China Sea. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129939. [PMID: 36096058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Phthalate esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, arising growing public concern. Nevertheless, information on the exposure and risks of PAEs in wildlife remains limited. Here, we conducted the first investigation of the occurrences, spatiotemporal trends, and potential risks of twelve metabolites of PAEs (mPAEs) in 74 humpback dolphins from the northern South China Sea during 2005-2020. All twelve mPAEs (∑12mPAEs: 9.6-810.7 ng g-1 wet weight) were detected in the dolphin liver, and seven major mPAEs showed increasing trends during the study period, indicating high PAE contamination in the coastal environment of South China. Monoethylhexyl phthalate accounted for over half of the ∑12mPAE concentrations. The accumulation of mPAEs in the dolphins was neither age-dependent nor sex-specific. Compared to parent PAEs, mPAEs generally induced higher agonistic effects on the dolphin peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/gamma (PPARA/G) as master regulators of lipid homeostasis. Although short-term in vitro assays revealed no significant activation of dolphin PPARA/G by tissue-relevant doses of mPAEs, long-term in vivo evidence (i.e., correlations between hepatic mPAEs and blubber fatty acids) suggested that chronic exposure to mPAEs might have impacted lipid metabolism in the dolphin. This study highlighted the potential health risks of PAE exposure on marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhui Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Xiyang Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China.
| | - Yanqing Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Jiaxue Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China.
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Tranganida A, Hall AJ, Armstrong HC, Moss SEW, Bennett KA. Consequences of in vitro benzyl butyl phthalate exposure for blubber gene expression and insulin-induced Akt activation in juvenile grey seals. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120688. [PMID: 36402420 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastic and plasticiser pollution of marine environments is a growing concern. Although phthalates, one group of plasticisers, are rapidly metabolised by mammals, they are found ubiquitously in humans and have been linked with metabolic disorders and altered adipose function. Phthalates may also present a threat to marine mammals, which need to rapidly accumulate and mobilise their large fat depots. High molecular weight (HMW) phthalates may be most problematic because they can accumulate in adipose. We used blubber explants from juvenile grey seals to examine the effects of overnight exposure to the HMW, adipogenic phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP) on expression of key adipose-specific genes and on phosphorylation of Akt in response to insulin. We found substantial differences in transcript abundance of Pparγ, Insig2, Fasn, Scd, Adipoq and Lep between moult stages, when animals were also experiencing differing mass changes, and between tissue depths, which likely reflect differences in blubber function. Akt abundance was higher in inner compared to outer blubber, consistent with greater metabolic activity in adipose closer to muscle than skin, and its phosphorylation was stimulated by insulin. Transcript abundance of Pparγ and Fasn (and Adipoq in some animals) were increased by short term (30 min) insulin exposure. In addition, overnight in vitro BBzP exposure altered insulin-induced changes in Pparγ (and Adipoq in some animals) transcript abundance, in a tissue depth and moult stage-specific manner. Basal or insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation was not changed. BBzP thus acted rapidly on the transcript abundance of key adipose genes in an Akt-independent manner. Our data suggest phthalate exposure could alter seal blubber development or function, although the whole animal consequences of these changes are not yet understood. Knowledge of typical phthalate exposures and toxicokinetics would help to contextualise these findings in terms of phthalate-induced metabolic disruption risk and consequences for marine mammal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Tranganida
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK; Division of Health Science, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Holly C Armstrong
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK; Division of Health Science, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK; School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, KY16 9JP, UK
| | - Simon E W Moss
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Kimberley A Bennett
- Division of Health Science, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK.
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Oller L, Bennett KA, McKnight JC, Moss SE, Milne R, Hall AJ, Rocha J. Partial pressure of oxygen in adipose tissue and its relationship with fatness in a natural animal model of extreme fat deposition, the grey seal. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e14972. [PMID: 34409768 PMCID: PMC8374385 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive adiposity is associated with altered oxygen tension and comorbidities in humans. In contrast, marine mammals have high adiposity with no apparent detrimental effects. However, partial pressure of oxygen (Po2 ) in their subcutaneous adipose tissue (blubber) and its relationship with fatness have not been reported. We measured Po2 and temperature at different blubber depths in 12 healthy juvenile grey seals. Fatness was estimated from blubber thickness and morphometric parameters. Simultaneously, we monitored breathing pattern; heart rate and arterial blood saturation with a pulse oximeter; and relative changes in total hemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, and oxyhemoglobin in blubber capillaries using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as proxies for local oxygenation changes. Blubber Po2 ranged from 14.5 to 71.4 mmHg (39.2 ± 14.1 mmHg), which is similar to values reported in other species. Blubber Po2 was strongly and negatively associated with fatness (LME: p < 0.0001, R2marginal = 0.53, R2conditional = 0.64, n = 10), but not with blubber depth. No other parameters explained variability in Po2 , suggesting arterial blood and local oxygen delivery did not vary within and between measurements. The fall in blubber Po2 with increased fatness in seals is consistent with other animal models of rapid fat deposition. However, the Po2 levels at which blubber becomes hypoxic and consequences of low blubber Po2 for its health and function, particularly in very fat individuals, remain unknown. How seals avoid detrimental effects of low oxygen tension in adipose tissue, despite their high and fluctuating adiposity, is a fruitful avenue to explore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Oller
- Division of Health SciencesSchool of Applied SciencesAbertay UniversityDundeeUK
| | | | - J. Chris McKnight
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Simon E.W. Moss
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Ryan Milne
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Ailsa J. Hall
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Joel Rocha
- Division of Sports and Exercise SciencesSchool of Applied SciencesAbertay UniversityDundeeUK
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Bennett KA, Robinson KJ, Armstrong HC, Moss SEW, Scholl G, Tranganida A, Eppe G, Thomé JP, Debier C, Hall AJ. Predicting consequences of POP-induced disruption of blubber glucose uptake, mass gain rate and thyroid hormone levels for weaning mass in grey seal pups. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 152:106506. [PMID: 33770584 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are endocrine disruptors that alter adipose tissue development, regulation and function. Top marine predators are particularly vulnerable because they possess large fat stores that accumulate POPs. However, links between endocrine or adipose tissue function disruption and whole animal energetics have rarely been investigated. We predicted the impact of alterations to blubber metabolic characteristics and circulating thyroid hormone (TH) levels associated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on suckling mass gain and weaning mass in wild grey seal pups. Glucose uptake by inner blubber was a strong predictor of whole animal mass gain rate, which in turn, resulted in heavier weaning mass. Weaning mass was predicted to increase by 3.7 ± 1.59 (sem) %, through increased mass gain rate, in the absence of the previously reported suppressive effect of dioxin-like PCB (DL-PCBs) on blubber glucose uptake. PBDEs were, conversely, associated with faster mass gain. Alleviation of this effect was predicted to reduce weaning mass by 6.02 ± 1.86% (sem). To better predict POPs effects on energy balance, it is crucial to determine if and how PBDEs promote mass gain in grey seal pups. Weaning mass was negatively related to total T3 (TT3) levels. A 20% (range = 9.3-31.7%) reduction in TT3 by DL-PCBs partially overcame the effect of DL-PCB -mediated reduction in blubber glucose uptake. Overall, DL-PCBs were thus predicted to reduce weaning mass by 1.86 ± 1.60%. Organohalogen impacts on whole-animal energy balance in grey seal pups appear to partially offset each other through opposing effects on different mechanisms. POP effects were generally minor, but the largest POP-induced reductions in weaning mass were predicted to occur in pups that were already small. Since weaning mass is positively related to first-year survival, POPs may disproportionately affect smaller individuals, and could continue to have population-level impacts even when levels are relatively low compared to historical values. Our findings show how in vitro experiments combined with measurements in vivo can help elucidate mechanisms that underpin energy balance regulation and help to quantify the magnitude of disruptive effects by contaminants and other stressors in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley A Bennett
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Kydd Building, Bell St., Dundee DD1 1HG, UK.
| | - Kelly J Robinson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY 16 8LB, UK; Centre for Biological Diversity, Sir Harold Mitchell Building, University of St Andrews, Greenside Place, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TF, UK.
| | - Holly C Armstrong
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Kydd Building, Bell St., Dundee DD1 1HG, UK.
| | - Simon E W Moss
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY 16 8LB, UK.
| | - Georges Scholl
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), Research Unit MolSys, B6c, Department of Chemistry, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | - Alexandra Tranganida
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Kydd Building, Bell St., Dundee DD1 1HG, UK.
| | - Gauthier Eppe
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), Research Unit MolSys, B6c, Department of Chemistry, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | - Jean-Pierre Thomé
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LEAE), Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | - Cathy Debier
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY 16 8LB, UK.
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Debier C, Pirard L, Verhaegen M, Rzucidlo C, Tinant G, Dewulf C, Larondelle Y, Smith DR, Rees JF, Crocker DE. In vitro Lipolysis and Leptin Production of Elephant Seal Blubber Using Precision-Cut Adipose Tissue Slices. Front Physiol 2020; 11:615784. [PMID: 33362587 PMCID: PMC7758477 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.615784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue plays key roles in energy homeostasis. Understanding its metabolism and regulation is essential to predict the impact of environmental changes on wildlife health, especially in fasting-adapted species. However, in vivo experimental work in wild vertebrates can be challenging. We have developed a novel in vitro approach of precision-cut adipose tissue slices from northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) as a complementary approach to whole animal models. Blubber biopsies were collected from 14 pups during early and late post-weaning fast (Año Nuevo, CA, United States), precision-cut into 1 mm thick slices and maintained in culture at 37°C for at least 63 h. The slices exhibited an efficient response to ß-adrenergic stimulation, even after 2 days of culture, revealing good in vitro tissue function. The response to lipolytic stimulus did not vary between regions of outer and inner blubber, but was higher at early than at late fast for inner blubber slices. At early fast, lipolysis significantly reduced leptin production. At this stage, inner blubber slices were also more efficient at producing leptin than outer blubber slices, especially in the non-lipolytic condition. This model will aid the study of adipose tissue metabolism and its response to environmental stressors in marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Debier
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Laura Pirard
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marie Verhaegen
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Caroline Rzucidlo
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, United States
| | - Gilles Tinant
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Clément Dewulf
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Yvan Larondelle
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Donald R Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
| | - Jean-François Rees
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, United States
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McKnight JC, Bennett KA, Bronkhorst M, Russell DJF, Balfour S, Milne R, Bivins M, Moss SEW, Colier W, Hall AJ, Thompson D. Shining new light on mammalian diving physiology using wearable near-infrared spectroscopy. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000306. [PMID: 31211787 PMCID: PMC6581238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigation of marine mammal dive-by-dive blood distribution and oxygenation has been limited by a lack of noninvasive technology for use in freely diving animals. Here, we developed a noninvasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device to measure relative changes in blood volume and haemoglobin oxygenation continuously in the blubber and brain of voluntarily diving harbour seals. Our results show that seals routinely exhibit preparatory peripheral vasoconstriction accompanied by increased cerebral blood volume approximately 15 s before submersion. These anticipatory adjustments confirm that blood redistribution in seals is under some degree of cognitive control that precedes the mammalian dive response. Seals also routinely increase cerebral oxygenation at a consistent time during each dive, despite a lack of access to ambient air. We suggest that this frequent and reproducible reoxygenation pattern, without access to ambient air, is underpinned by previously unrecognised changes in cerebral drainage. The ability to track blood volume and oxygenation in different tissues using NIRS will facilitate a more accurate understanding of physiological plasticity in diving animals in an increasingly disturbed and exploited environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Chris McKnight
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
- * E-mail:
| | - Kimberley A. Bennett
- Division of Science, School of Science Engineering and Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, Scotland
| | | | - Debbie J. F. Russell
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Steve Balfour
- Sea Mammal Research Unit Instrumentation Group, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Ryan Milne
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Matt Bivins
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Simon E. W. Moss
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
| | | | - Ailsa J. Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Dave Thompson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
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Robinson KJ, Hall AJ, Debier C, Eppe G, Thomé JP, Bennett KA. Persistent Organic Pollutant Burden, Experimental POP Exposure, and Tissue Properties Affect Metabolic Profiles of Blubber from Gray Seal Pups. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:13523-13534. [PMID: 30339760 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic, ubiquitous, resist breakdown, bioaccumulate in living tissue, and biomagnify in food webs. POPs can also alter energy balance in humans and wildlife. Marine mammals experience high POP concentrations, but consequences for their tissue metabolic characteristics are unknown. We used blubber explants from wild, gray seal ( Halichoerus grypus) pups to examine impacts of intrinsic tissue POP burden and acute experimental POP exposure on adipose metabolic characteristics. Glucose use, lactate production, and lipolytic rate differed between matched inner and outer blubber explants from the same individuals and between feeding and natural fasting. Glucose use decreased with blubber dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCB) and increased with acute experimental POP exposure. Lactate production increased with DL-PCBs during feeding, but decreased with DL-PCBs during fasting. Lipolytic rate increased with blubber dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDX) in fasting animals, but declined with DDX when animals were feeding. Our data show that POP burdens are high enough in seal pups to alter adipose function early in life, when fat deposition and mobilization are vital. Such POP-induced alterations to adipose metabolic properties may significantly alter energy balance regulation in marine top predators, with the potential for long-term impacts on fitness and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J Robinson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute , University of St Andrews , St Andrews , Fife KY16 8LB , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute , University of St Andrews , St Andrews , Fife KY16 8LB , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Cathy Debier
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology , Université Catholique de Louvain , Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Louvain-la-Neuve 1348 , Belgium
| | - Gauthier Eppe
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), B6c, Department of Chemistry , Université de Liège , Liege 4000 , Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Thomé
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LEAE) , Université de Liège , Liege 4000 , Belgium
| | - Kimberley A Bennett
- Division of Science, School of Science Engineering and Technology , Abertay University , Dundee DD1 1HG , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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