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Polizzi PS, Boudet LNC, de León AP, Quiroga M, Rodríguez DH, Atkinson S, Gerpe MS. Reference Intervals of Mineral Elements in Plasma of Anesthetized Free-Ranging Adult Females of South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens. Biol Trace Elem Res 2016; 174:325-327. [PMID: 27156112 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-016-0734-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) in plasma of Otaria flavescens females (n = 29) were evaluated. Reference intervals were established for each element, being the first report for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula S Polizzi
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC-CONICET), Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - L N Chiodi Boudet
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC-CONICET), Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - A Ponce de León
- Departamento Mamíferos Marinos, Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos (DI.NA.R.A.), Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca (M.G.A.P.), CP 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - M Quiroga
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, CP 7000, Tandil, Argentina
| | - D H Rodríguez
- Biología, Ecología y Conservación de Mamíferos Marinos, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC-CONICET), Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - S Atkinson
- Fisheries Division, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, AK, CP 99801, USA
| | - M S Gerpe
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC-CONICET), Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
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Beltran RS, Peterson SH, McHuron EA, Reichmuth C, Hückstädt LA, Costa DP. Seals and sea lions are what they eat, plus what? Determination of trophic discrimination factors for seven pinniped species. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2016; 30:1115-1122. [PMID: 27060839 PMCID: PMC4830913 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mixing models are a common method for quantifying the contribution of prey sources to the diet of an individual using stable isotope analysis; however, these models rely upon a known trophic discrimination factor (hereafter, TDF) that results from fractionation between prey and animal tissues. Quantifying TDFs in captive animals is ideal, because diet is controlled and the proportional contributions and isotopic values of all prey items are known. METHODS To calculate TDFs for the Hawaiian monk seal, northern elephant seal, bearded seal, ringed seal, spotted seal, harbor seal, and California sea lion, we obtained whiskers, serum, plasma, red blood cells, and prey items from nine captive individuals. We obtained δ(13) C and δ(15) N values using continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. The average δ(13) C and δ(15) N values from bulk and lipid-corrected prey from the diet were subtracted from the δ(13) C and δ(15) N values of each blood and whisker sample to calculate tissue-specific TDFs for each individual (∆(13) C or ∆(15) N). RESULTS The ∆(13) C values ranged from +1.7 to +3.2‰ (bulk prey) and from +0.8 to +1.9‰ (lipid-corrected prey) for the various blood components, and from +3.9 to +4.6‰ (bulk prey) or +2.6 to +3.9‰ (lipid-corrected prey) for whiskers. The ∆(15) N values ranged from +2.2 to +4.3‰ for blood components and from +2.6 to +4.0‰ for whiskers. The TDFs tended to group by tissue, with whiskers having greater ∆(13) C values than blood components. In contrast, the ∆(15) N values were greater in serum and plasma than in red blood cells and whiskers. CONCLUSIONS By providing the first TDF values for five seal species (family Phocidae) and one otariid species (family Otariidae), our study facilitates more accurate mixing models for these species. These values are particularly important for critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals and the three Arctic seal species (bearded, ringed, and spotted) that are faced with a rapidly changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne S. Beltran
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Sarah H. Peterson
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. McHuron
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Colleen Reichmuth
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Luis A. Hückstädt
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Daniel P. Costa
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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Neely BA, Ferrante JA, Chaves JM, Soper JL, Almeida JS, Arthur JM, Gulland FMD, Janech MG. Proteomic Analysis of Plasma from California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) Reveals Apolipoprotein E as a Candidate Biomarker of Chronic Domoic Acid Toxicosis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123295. [PMID: 25919366 PMCID: PMC4412824 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Domoic acid toxicosis (DAT) in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) is caused by exposure to the marine biotoxin domoic acid and has been linked to massive stranding events and mortality. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs in addition to the presence of domoic acid in body fluids. Chronic DAT further is characterized by reoccurring seizures progressing to status epilepticus. Diagnosis of chronic DAT is often slow and problematic, and minimally invasive tests for DAT have been the focus of numerous recent biomarker studies. The goal of this study was to retrospectively profile plasma proteins in a population of sea lions with chronic DAT and those without DAT using two dimensional gel electrophoresis to discover whether individual, multiple, or combinations of protein and clinical data could be utilized to identify sea lions with DAT. Using a training set of 32 sea lion sera, 20 proteins and their isoforms were identified that were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05). Interestingly, 11 apolipoprotein E (ApoE) charge forms were decreased in DAT samples, indicating that ApoE charge form distributions may be important in the progression of DAT. In order to develop a classifier of chronic DAT, an independent blinded test set of 20 sea lions, seven with chronic DAT, was used to validate models utilizing ApoE charge forms and eosinophil counts. The resulting support vector machine had high sensitivity (85.7% with 92.3% negative predictive value) and high specificity (92.3% with 85.7% positive predictive value). These results suggest that ApoE and eosinophil counts along with machine learning can perform as a robust and accurate tool to diagnose chronic DAT. Although this analysis is specifically focused on blood biomarkers and routine clinical data, the results demonstrate promise for future studies combining additional variables in multidimensional space to create robust classifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. Neely
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Jason A. Ferrante
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- Grice Marine Laboratory, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - J. Mauro Chaves
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | | | - Jonas S. Almeida
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stony Brook University, Long Island, NY, United States of America
| | - John M. Arthur
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | | | - Michael G. Janech
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- Grice Marine Laboratory, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lander ME, Fadely BS, Gelatt TS, Rea LD, Loughlin TR. Serum chemistry reference ranges for Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups from Alaska: stock differentiation and comparisons within a North Pacific sentinel species. Ecohealth 2013; 10:376-393. [PMID: 24419664 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-013-0891-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Revised: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Blood chemistry and hematologic reference ranges are useful for population health assessment and establishing a baseline for future comparisons in the event of ecosystem changes due to natural or anthropogenic factors. The objectives of this study were to determine if there was any population spatial structure for blood variables of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), an established sentinel species, and to report reference ranges for appropriate populations using standardized analyses. In addition to comparing reference ranges between populations with contrasting abundance trends, data were examined for evidence of disease or nutritional stress. From 1998 to 2011, blood samples were collected from 1,231 pups captured on 37 rookeries across their Alaskan range. Reference ranges are reported separately for the western and eastern distinct population segments (DPS) of Steller sea lion after cluster analysis and discriminant function analysis (DFA) supported underlying stock structure. Variables with greater loading scores for the DFA (creatinine, total protein, calcium, albumin, cholesterol, and alkaline phosphatase) also were greater for sea lions from the endangered western DPS, supporting previous studies that indicated pup condition in the west was not compromised during the first month postpartum. Differences between population segments were likely a result of ecological, physiological, or age related differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E Lander
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA, 98115, USA,
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Myers MJ, Litz B, Atkinson S. The effects of age, sex, season and geographic region on circulating serum cortisol concentrations in threatened and endangered Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2010; 165:72-7. [PMID: 19524580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2009.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2008] [Revised: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 06/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The role of stress in the decline of Steller sea lions has become of interest in the identification of factors leading to their drastic decline and subsequent failure to recover. Serum cortisol was validated as a potential indicator of stress in three sub-populations inhabiting the majority of the Steller sea lions range (n=941). Additionally, seasonal variability in serum cortisol measured in captive animals (n=9) of different age classes and sex was investigated. Significant interactions were found between region and year, as well as year and sex (p=0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). Samples from pups in Russia (151.5+/-3.2 ng ml(-1)) and southeast Alaska (152.7+/-2.7 ng ml(-1)) were consistently higher than concentrations measured in pups from southwest Alaska (133.0+/-3.2 ng ml(-1)). Serum cortisol concentrations measured in 2001 (134.9+/-2.0 ng ml(-1)) were significantly lower than 2002 (156.5+/-2.4 ng ml(-1), p<0.001) for all regions. Seasonal effects indicated significant interactions between age, year and sex (p=0.011). Serum cortisol was elevated in months associated with the breeding season and annual molt (86.5+/-5.0 and 92.4+/-5.1 ng ml(-1), respectively) compared to the other seasons. Our results suggest that cortisol concentrations in Steller sea lions can be a useful diagnostic tool to compare the physiology between groups of sea lions, but factors such as animal sex, age, season and year must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Myers
- School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
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Myers MJ, Ylitalo GM, Krahn MM, Boyd D, Calkins D, Burkanov V, Atkinson S. Organochlorine contaminants in endangered Steller sea lion pups (Eumetopias jubatus) from western Alaska and the Russian Far East. Sci Total Environ 2008; 396:60-69. [PMID: 18384839 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2007] [Revised: 02/05/2008] [Accepted: 02/06/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Investigations into the cause of the Steller sea lion population decline have focused on numerous factors, including exposure to toxic contaminants such as organochlorines (OCs). OCs, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane, or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), have been associated with various biological effects in marine mammals. We measured these compounds in whole blood of free-ranging Steller sea lion pups in order to determine the extent and magnitude of contamination across their geographical range. Of 212 pups analyzed for OCs, 76 pups (36 females and 40 males) were from western Alaska and the other 136 (63 females and 73 males) were from the Russian Far East. Concentrations of summation SigmaPCBs in the whole blood of pups from western Alaska ranged from 0.21 to 13 ng/g wet weight with a mean of 2.1+/-0.27 ng/g wet weight. In the Russian animals, summation SigmaPCB concentrations in the whole blood of pups ranged from 0.33 to 36 ng/g wet weight with a mean of 4.3+/-0.44 ng/g wet weight. summation SigmaDDT concentrations in the whole blood of pups from western Alaska ranged from 0.18 to 11 ng/g wet weight with a mean of 1.6+/-0.23 ng/g wet weight. In Russia, summation SigmaDDT in the whole blood of pups ranged from undetectable to 26 ng/g wet weight with a mean of 3.3+/-0.36 ng/g wet weight. Average OC concentrations were significantly higher in the blood of Russian animals compared to western Alaska (for PCBs and DDTs, p<0.001) and in both areas females had higher concentrations than males. Male pups from western Alaska had significantly lower levels of summation SigmaPCBs and summation SigmaDDT when compared to male pups from Russia (for PCBs and DDTs p<0.001). Female pups from western Alaska were significantly lower in summation SigmaPCBs than Russian female pups (for PCBs p=0.009) as were female pups for summation SigmaDDT levels between areas (for DDTs p=0.026). OC contaminants data indicate that Steller sea lion pups have measurable concentrations of these synthetic chemicals. While any physiological effect and the specific role these chemicals may have in either the decline or the failure of the endangered Steller sea lion population to recover needs to be further investigated, this study indicates specific areas and animals that may be most at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Myers
- Alaska SeaLife Center, 301 Railway Ave., PO Box 1329, Seward, AK 99664, United States
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Williams TM, Rutishauser M, Long B, Fink T, Gafney J, Mostman-Liwanag H, Casper D. Seasonal Variability in Otariid Energetics: Implications for the Effects of Predators on Localized Prey Resources. Physiol Biochem Zool 2007; 80:433-43. [PMID: 17508338 DOI: 10.1086/518346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Otariids, like other wild mammals, contend with a wide variety of energetic demands across seasons. However, due to the cryptic behaviors of this marine group, few studies have been able to examine longitudinal energetic costs or the potential impact of these costs on seasonal or annual prey requirements. Here we evaluated the changes in energy demand and intake of female California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) during reproductive (n=2 sea lions) and nonreproductive (n=3) periods. Monthly measurements included resting metabolic rate, blood hormone levels, body condition (blubber thickness and body mass), and caloric intake for adult sea lions throughout molting, late pregnancy, lactation, and postweaning. We found that maintenance energy demands decreased from 32.0 to 23.1 MJ d(-1) before pupping, remaining stable at 19.4+/-0.6 MJ d(-1) during lactation and postweaning. Energy intake rates to meet these demands showed marked changes with activity level and the reproductive cycle, reaching a peak intake of 3.6 times baseline levels during lactation. Translating this into prey demands, we find that 20,000 reproductively active females on San Nicolas Island rookeries would maximally require 4,950 metric tons of Pacific whiting during a month of the breeding season. This localized impact is reduced significantly with postbreeding dispersal and demonstrates the importance of considering spatial and temporal factors driving the energetic requirements of predators when designing marine protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrie M Williams
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Ocean Health-Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA.
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8
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Abstract
Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute-phase protein synthesized in the liver that circulates at elevated concentrations in response to tissue damage caused by inflammation, infection, and trauma. As part of a larger study, sera Hp concentrations were measured in temporarily captive (n = 21) and free-range (n = 38) western stock juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) sampled from 2003 to 2006. Baseline Hp concentration at time of capture was 133.3 +/- 17.4 mg/dl. Temporarily captive animals exhibited a 3.2-fold increase in Hp concentrations during the first 4 wk of captivity, followed by a return to entry levels by week 5. Haptoglobin levels were not influenced by age, season, or parasite load. There was a significant positive correlation between Hp concentrations and white blood cell count (P < 0.001) and globulin levels (P < 0.001) and a negative correlation to red blood cell count and hematocrit (P < 0.001 for both). There was no correlation between Hp levels and platelet count (P = 0.095) or hemoglobin (P = 0.457). Routine blubber biopsies collected under gas anesthesia did not produce a measurable Hp response. One animal with a large abscess had an Hp spike of 1,006.0 mg/dl that returned to entry levels after treatment. In conclusion, serum Hp levels correlate to the stable clinical health status observed during captivity, with moderate Hp response during capture and initial acclimation to captivity and acute response to inflammation and infection.
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El-Zein RA, Hastings-Smith DA, Ammenheuser MM, Treinen-Moslen M, Gulland FM, Ward JB. Evaluation of two different biomarkers for use in the assessment of toxic chemical exposure in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Mar Pollut Bull 2006; 52:108-13. [PMID: 16298399 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2005] [Revised: 10/05/2005] [Accepted: 10/09/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Randa A El-Zein
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1155 Pressler Street #1340, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
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Richmond JP, Burns JM, Rea LD, Mashburn KL. Postnatal ontogeny of erythropoietin and hematology in free-ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2005; 141:240-7. [PMID: 15804511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2005.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2004] [Revised: 01/10/2005] [Accepted: 01/11/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The hormone erythropoietin (EPO) is responsible for the increased production of red blood cells (RBC) in response to tissue hypoxia. While the role of EPO in hematological development has been established in humans and terrestrial mammals, this relationship has never been examined in marine mammals that rely heavily on stored oxygen to maintain aerobic metabolism while diving. Since blood is the major oxygen storage site in marine mammals, it was hypothesized that EPO may have a significant influence on the development of hematology parameters associated with the expansion of blood oxygen stores during development. To explore this hypothesis, serum EPO concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in 235 free-ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), throughout their Alaskan range. Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) counts were also measured, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCV) values determined. Erythropoietin and most hematological parameters varied with age. Hematocrit, Hb, RBC, and MCHC decreased after birth, reached their lowest values at two to three months of age, and then increased to values similar to those of adults by five months of age. Since changes in Hct and Hb account for the majority of the changes in blood oxygen stores and EPO was negatively correlated with both, it appears that EPO may play an important role in blood development of Steller sea lions, similar to previous studies on terrestrial mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie P Richmond
- University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Dr., Anchorage, AK 99518, USA.
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Debier C, Ylitalo GM, Weise M, Gulland F, Costa DP, Le Boeuf BJ, de Tillesse T, Larondelle Y. PCBs and DDT in the serum of juvenile California sea lions: associations with vitamins A and E and thyroid hormones. Environ Pollut 2005; 134:323-32. [PMID: 15589659 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2004] [Accepted: 07/26/2004] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Top-trophic predators like California sea lions bioaccumulate high levels of persistent fat-soluble pollutants that may provoke physiological impairments such as endocrine or vitamins A and E disruption. We measured circulating levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in 12 healthy juvenile California sea lions captured on Año Nuevo Island, California, in 2002. We investigated the relationship between the contamination by PCBs and DDT and the circulating levels of vitamins A and E and thyroid hormones (thyroxine, T4 and triiodothyronine, T3). Serum concentrations of total PCBs (sigmaPCBs) and total DDT were 14 +/- 9 mg/kg and 28 +/- 19 mg/kg lipid weight, respectively. PCB toxic equivalents (sigmaPCB TEQs) were 320 +/- 170 ng/kg lipid weight. Concentrations of sigmaPCBs and sigmaPCB TEQs in serum lipids were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with serum vitamin A and T3, potentially reflecting PCB-related toxicity. A slight but not significant negative correlation (p < 0.1) was observed between serum T4 and the levels of sigmaPCBs and sigmaPCB TEQs. Conversely, no relationship was evident between the contaminant concentrations and vitamin E (p > 0.1). As juvenile California sea lions are useful sentinels of coastal contamination, the high levels encountered in their serum is cause for concern about the ecosystem health of the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Debier
- Unité de Biochimie de la Nutrition, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/8, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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Mashburn KL, Atkinson S. Evaluation of adrenal function in serum and feces of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus): influences of molt, gender, sample storage, and age on glucocorticoid metabolism. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2004; 136:371-81. [PMID: 15081837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2004.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2003] [Revised: 01/26/2004] [Accepted: 01/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fecal corticosterone concentrations, measured via radioimmunoassay (RIA), were validated as a method to monitor adrenal function in Steller sea lion physiology. Quantification of adrenal response to an acute stressor and relevance of data produced by developed methodologies was determined through physiological challenge with exogenous administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to captive adult, reproductively intact, Steller sea lions of both sexes (n=3, 1 male, 2 female) during seasonal molt. Following ACTH administration, serial blood and fecal samples were collected and analyzed by RIA to determine adrenal response. Storage regimens and weather exposure were examined to establish external impact on fecal corticosterone concentrations. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) of both serum and feces of Steller sea lions was employed to explore potential gender-based differences extant in either sample media. ACTH challenges produced >3-fold increases in serum cortisol concentrations which were reflected in >18-fold increases in fecal corticosterone concentrations post-injection at 3.25 and 32 h, respectively, and fecal corticosterone concentrations returned to baseline 52 h post-injection. Neither outdoor exposure to weather nor variation in duration and temperature of freezer storage impacted fecal corticosterone concentrations. HPLC of individual fecal samples produced eluate immunoreactivity profiles that differed consistently with both sex and age class. Techniques developed herein effectively detected physiologically relevant corticosterone data in Steller sea lion feces, unaffected by conditions likely to be encountered with field collection samples. Additionally, results quantify an acute response to ACTH and provide methodology for examining chronically heightened adrenal activity in Steller sea lions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall L Mashburn
- University of Alaska, Fairbanks and Alaska SeaLife Center, P.O. Box 1329, 301 Railway Avenue, Seward, AL 99664, USA
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Rea LD, Castellini MA, Fadely BS, Loughlin TR. Health status of young Alaska Steller sea lion pups (Eumetopias jubatus) as indicated by blood chemistry and hematology. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 1998; 120:617-23. [PMID: 10400492 DOI: 10.1016/s1095-6433(98)10074-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Blood chemistry and hematology were examined in 238 Steller sea lion pups (Eumetopias jubatus) to assess the health status of pups <1 month of age. Failure of juvenile recruitment (possibly due to nutritionally or physiologically compromised pups) into breeding populations has been proposed as a cause of recent declines of this endangered species in Alaska. To identify potential correlations with areas of high population decline, blood chemistry data were considered for three areas: eastern Aleutian Islands (low rates of population decline to stable populations), Gulf of Alaska (high rates of decline), and Southeast Alaska (stable to increasing population). Southeast Alaska pups showed elevated ketone body concentrations (beta-hydroxybutyrate,(beta-HBA)) and depressed glucose levels than pups in the Gulf of Alaska. Over 40% of the pups from Southeast Alaska had elevated beta-HBA concentrations suggesting they underwent longer periods of fasting than seen in pups from other areas. Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and water content of the blood exhibited typical mammalian relationships. In summary, blood chemistry and hematology data showed no indication that Steller sea lion pups <1 month old from areas of population decline were nutritionally compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Rea
- Institue of Marine Science, University of Alaska, Fairbanks 99775-7220, USA.
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Zenteno-Savin T, Castellini MA. Plasma angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin and atrial natriuretic peptide in free ranging and captive seals and sea lions. Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol 1998; 119:1-6. [PMID: 9568367 DOI: 10.1016/s0742-8413(97)00136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We used radioimmunoassay methods to quantify arginine vasopressin (AVP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and angiotensin II (Ang II) in plasma samples from harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsii), Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), ringed seals (Phoca hispida), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Plasma concentrations of AVP, ANP, and Ang II in these pinniped species were within the ranges reported for other vertebrates under resting conditions. However, there were species, geographic and developmental variations in these hormones: Levels of AVP in plasma samples from adult Steller sea lions and harbor seals were higher than in pups of the same species; higher levels of plasma ANP were found in wild captured Alaskan Steller sea lions and in hunted ringed seals; differences in plasma levels of all three hormones were found throughout the geographic distribution of harbor seals and Steller sea lions in Alaska. This is the first report on circulating concentrations of vasoactive hormones in pinnipeds, and demonstrates that further studies are needed to ascertain the natural variability in these levels with the impact of molting, fasting, diving and environmental factors in seals and sea lions.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Zenteno-Savin
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
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Gales NJ, Williamson P, Higgins LV, Blackberry MA, James I. Evidence for a prolonged postimplantation period in the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea). J Reprod Fertil 1997; 111:159-63. [PMID: 9462281 DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.1110159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of circulating progesterone and oestradiol were measured in 96 free-ranging, female Australian sea lions Neophoca cinerea from Kangaroo Island, South Australia. There was a marked increase in the concentrations of both hormones (progesterone from approximately 12 ng ml-1 to approximately 24 ng ml-1; oestradiol from approximately 1.5 pg ml-1 to approximately 14 pg ml-1) about 3.5 months after the probable date of mating, reaching peak values in the 5 months after parturition. Progesterone concentrations remained at peak concentrations for about 2 months, decreasing at approximately 8 months to concentrations approximating those of the first 3 months after parturition. Oestradiol concentrations decreased, after reaching a peak, to 3-4 pg ml-1 at about 8 months after parturition. The timing of the increase in the concentrations of circulating progesterone and oestradiol provides evidence that the blastocyst reactivates and implants between 3.5 and 5 months of pregnancy in Australian sea lions, indicating an embryonic diapause of similar duration to that of other pinnipeds. This would suggest a prolonged postimplantation period of up to 14 months (to fit with the gestation period of 18 months reported for this species) the longest postimplantation period recorded for pregnancy in any pinniped.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Gales
- Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Australia
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Marsili L, Fossi MC, Casini S, Savelli C, Jimenez B, Junin M, Castello H. Fingerprint of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in two populations of southern sea lions (Otaria flavescens). Chemosphere 1997; 34:759-770. [PMID: 9569942 DOI: 10.1016/s0045-6535(97)00003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The fingerprint of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated in biopsy, fur, blood, liver and faeces of live and dead specimens of two Argentinian population of southern sea lion (Otaria flavescens). One colony lives in Mar del Plata harbour which is particularly polluted with petroleum, the second (control) colony lives at Punta Bermeja (Patagonia). The highest concentrations of the five carcinogenic PAHs were found in the Mar del Plata sea lions.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Marsili
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, University of Siena, Italy
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Abstract
The haematology of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea was studied in a breeding colony on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The methods used to catch and restrain the animals are described and the haematology of 38 animals of varying age and sex groups is recorded. Total values for both erythrocytes and leucocytes were similar to those of other marine mammals and were in the ranges of 4.77 to 6.08 X 10(6) mm3 and 6.3 to 14.6 X 10(3) mm3, respectively. Erythrocytes volumes were very large, measuring from 96 to 112 mm.3 The packed cell volumes ranged from 48.3 to 64.2% and the haemoglobin values from 16.2 to 21 gm percent. The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio varied from 0.5 to 6.2 and in some animals absolute lymphocyte values were less than 1,200 mm.3 In many animals the percentage of eosinophils was greater than 20%, suggesting parasitic disease.
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