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Williams RS, Curnick DJ, Brownlow A, Barber JL, Barnett J, Davison NJ, Deaville R, Ten Doeschate M, Perkins M, Jepson PD, Jobling S. Polychlorinated biphenyls are associated with reduced testes weights in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 150:106303. [PMID: 33454091 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly toxic and persistent aquatic pollutants that are known to bioaccumulate in a variety of marine mammals. They have been associated with reduced recruitment rates and population declines in multiple species. Evidence to date documents effects of PCB exposures on female reproduction, but few studies have investigated whether PCB exposure impacts male fertility. Using blubber tissue samples of 99 adult and 168 juvenile UK-stranded harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) collected between 1991 and 2017, here we show that PCBs exposures are associated with reduced testes weights in adults with good body condition. In animals with poor body condition, however, the impact of PCBs on testes weights was reduced, conceivably due to testes weights being limited by nutritional stress. This is the first study to investigate the relationship between PCB contaminant burden and testes weights in cetaceans and represents a substantial advance in our understanding of the relationship between PCB exposures and male reproductive biology in cetaceans. As testes weight is a strong indicator of male fertility in seasonally breeding mammals, we suggest the inclusion of such effects in population level impact assessments involving PCB exposures. Given the re-emergent PCB threat our findings are globally significant, with potentially serious implications for long-lived mammals. We show that more effective PCB controls could have a substantial impact on the reproductive health of coastal cetacean species and that management actions may need to be escalated to ensure adequate protection of the most vulnerable cetacean populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie S Williams
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK; Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - David J Curnick
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - James Barnett
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Falmouth, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Robert Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Mariel Ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Paul D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Susan Jobling
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
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2
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Hirakawa Y, Horimoto T, Suzuki I, Mitani Y. Estimation of Sexual Maturity Based on Morphometrics of Genital Organs in Male Northern Fur Seals, Callorhinus ursinus. MAMMAL STUDY 2020. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2020-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yukino Hirakawa
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, 20-5 Benten-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0051, Japan
| | - Takanori Horimoto
- Wakkanai Fisheries Research Institute, Hokkaido Research Organization, 4-5-15 Suehiro, Wakkanai, Hokkaido 097-0001, Japan
| | - Ippei Suzuki
- Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, 1 Aikappu, Akkeshi-cho, Akkeshi-gun, Hokkaido 088-1113, Japan
| | - Yoko Mitani
- Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, 20-5 Benten-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0051, Japan
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Maly MA, Edwards KL, Farin CE, Koester DC, Crosier AE. Assessing puberty in ex situ male cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) via fecal hormone metabolites and body weights. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 268:22-33. [PMID: 30026021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cheetahs are one of the most heavily studied felid species, with numerous publications on health, disease, and reproductive physiology produced over the last 30 years. Despite this relatively long history of research, there is a paucity of crucial biological data, such as pubertal onset, which has direct and significant applications to improved management of ex situ cheetah populations. This study aimed to determine age of pubertal onset in ex situ male cheetahs using non-invasive fecal steroid hormone monitoring and body weights. Fecal samples from 12 male cheetahs from four institutions were collected 2-3 times weekly from 1 to 42 months of age. Fecal androgen and glucocorticoid metabolites were analyzed using enzyme immunoassays previously validated for use with cheetah feces. Animal body weights were recorded monthly. Fecal hormone and body weight data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Androgen concentrations exhibited an increase to levels similar to those observed in adult males by 18-24 months of age, and males attained adult body weights by 21 months of age. Based on these weight data and the initial increase in androgens toward adult concentrations, males were considered pubertal from 18 to 24 months of age. Glucocorticoid concentrations and amplitude of concentration over baseline were also increased during this period. Knowledge about the physiological changes associated with puberty is useful for management and improving reproductive success of cheetah populations under human care, particularly for determining timing of litter separation from dam, littermate dispersal and when to introduce potential breeding pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan A Maly
- Center for Species Survival, Department of Reproductive Sciences, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, United States; Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, 123 Polk Hall, 120 Broughton Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Katie L Edwards
- Center for Species Survival, Department of Reproductive Sciences, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, United States
| | - Charlotte E Farin
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, 123 Polk Hall, 120 Broughton Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Diana C Koester
- Department of Conservation and Science, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109, United States
| | - Adrienne E Crosier
- Center for Species Survival, Department of Reproductive Sciences, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, United States.
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Crocker DE, Wenzel BK, Champagne CD, Houser DS. Adult male northern elephant seals maintain high rates of glucose production during extended breeding fasts. J Comp Physiol B 2017; 187:1183-1192. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-017-1098-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Ladds MA, Slip DJ, Harcourt RG. Intrinsic and extrinsic influences on standard metabolic rates of three species of Australian otariid. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cow074. [PMID: 28852504 PMCID: PMC5570045 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cow074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The study of marine mammal energetics can shed light on how these animals might adapt to changing environments. Their physiological potential to adapt will be influenced by extrinsic factors, such as temperature, and by intrinsic factors, such as sex and reproduction. We measured the standard metabolic rate (SMR) of males and females of three Australian otariid species (two Australian fur seals, three New Zealand fur seals and seven Australian sea lions). Mean SMR ranged from 0.47 to 1.05 l O2 min-1, which when adjusted for mass was from 5.33 to 7.44 ml O2 min-1 kg-1. We found that Australian sea lion mass-specific SMR (sSMR; in millilitres of oxygen per minute per kilogram) varied little in response to time of year or moult, but was significantly influenced by sex and water temperature. Likewise, sSMR of Australian and New Zealand fur seals was also influenced by sex and water temperature, but also by time of year (pre-moult, moult or post-moult). During the moult, fur seals had significantly higher sSMR than at other times of the year, whereas there was no discernible effect of moult for sea lions. For both groups, females had higher sSMR than males, but sea lions and fur seals showed different responses to changes in water temperature. The sSMR of fur seals increased with increasing water temperature, whereas sSMR of sea lions decreased with increasing water temperature. There were no species differences when comparing animals of the same sex. Our study suggests that fur seals have more flexibility in their physiology than sea lions, perhaps implying that they will be more resilient in a changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique A. Ladds
- Marine Predator Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - David J. Slip
- Marine Predator Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradley's Head Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Robert G. Harcourt
- Marine Predator Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
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Wierucka K, Siemianowska S, Woźniak M, Jasnosz K, Kieliszczyk M, Kozak P, Sergiel A. Activity Budgets of Captive Cape Fur Seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) Under a Training Regime. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2015; 19:62-72. [PMID: 26709628 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2015.1106945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ethograms and time budgets are crucial for the behavioral assessment of nonhuman animals in zoos, and they serve as references for welfare research. This study was conducted to obtain detailed time budgets of trained Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) in captivity, to evaluate variations of these patterns, and to determine whether abnormal behaviors had been displayed. Behavioral data for 3 Cape fur seals in the Wroclaw Zoo were collected, and more than 300 observation hours (during a 12-month period) per individual were analyzed. The studied animals exhibited a diversified repertoire of natural behaviors with apparent seasonal and daily patterns, and they did not present stereotypic behaviors. Significant differences of interaction rates between individuals suggest more frequent affiliative interactions among related animals. The absence of stereotypic behaviors, good health of individuals, and the presence of diversified natural behaviors indicated relatively good welfare of Cape fur seals kept in the Wroclaw Zoo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Wierucka
- a Department of Behavioral Ecology , Institute of Environmental Biology, University of Wroclaw , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Sonia Siemianowska
- a Department of Behavioral Ecology , Institute of Environmental Biology, University of Wroclaw , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Marta Woźniak
- b Department of Pathology , Wroclaw Medical University , Wroclaw , Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Kieliszczyk
- a Department of Behavioral Ecology , Institute of Environmental Biology, University of Wroclaw , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Paulina Kozak
- a Department of Behavioral Ecology , Institute of Environmental Biology, University of Wroclaw , Wroclaw , Poland
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- d Department of Wildlife Conservation , Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences , Krakow , Poland
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Stewardson C, Brett M. Aggressive behaviour of an adult male Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) towards a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2000.11407201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Yurkowski DJ, Chambellant M, Ferguson SH. Bacular and testicular growth and allometry in the ringed seal (Pusa hispida): evidence of polygyny? J Mammal 2011. [DOI: 10.1644/10-mamm-a-082.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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