Dear MARMAM members:

We would like to share with all of you our recently published article:

*Anthropogenic Sound Exposure-Induced Stress in Captive Dolphins and Implications for Cetacean Health

 Yang W-C, Chen C-F, Chuah Y-C, Zhuang C-R, Chen I-H, Mooney TA, Stott J, Blanchard M, Jen I-F and Chou L-S (2021) Front. Mar. Sci.

Abstract:

Many cetaceans are exposed to increasing pressure caused by anthropogenic activities in their marine environment. Anthropogenic sound has been recognized as a possible stressor for cetaceans that may have impacts on health. However, the relationship between stress, hormones, and cytokines secretion in cetaceans is complex and not fully understood. Moreover, the effects of stress are often inconsistent because the character, intensity, and duration of the stressors are variable. For a better understanding of how anthropogenic sounds affect the psychophysiology of cetaceans, the present study compared the changes of cortisol concentration and cytokine gene transcriptions in blood samples and behaviors of captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) after sound exposures. The sound stimuli were 800 Hz pure-tone multiple impulsive sound for 30 min at three different sound levels (estimated mean received SPL: 0, 120, and 140 dB re 1 μPa) that likely cause no permanent and temporary hearing threshold shift in dolphins. Six cytokine genes (IL-2Rα, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) were selected for analysis. Cortisol levels and IL-10 gene transcription increased and IFNγ/IL-10 ratio was lower after a 30-min high-level sound exposure, indicating the sound stimuli used in this study could be a stressor for cetaceans, although only minor behavior changes were observed. This study may shed light on the potential impact of pile driving-like sounds on the endocrine and immune systems in cetaceans and provide imperative information regarding sound exposure for free-ranging cetaceans.

*Here, the link to the article (on-line)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.606736/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Marine_Science&id=606736#h1

Here are the methodology papers cited or related in this new paper:

* Sound exposure-induced cytokine gene transcript profile changes in captive bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) blood identified by a probe-based qRT-PCR

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323183102_Sound_exposure-induced_cytokine_gene_transcript_profile_changes_in_captive_bottlenose_dolphin_Tursiops_truncatus_blood_identified_by_a_probe-based_qRT-PCR

* A probe-based qRT-PCR method to profile immunological gene expression in blood of captive beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319442616_A_probe-based_qRT-PCR_method_to_profile_immunological_gene_expression_in_blood_of_captive_beluga_whales_Delphinapterus_leucas

* Selection of reference genes for RT-qPCR studies in blood of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295860064_Selection_of_reference_genes_for_RT-qPCR_studies_in_blood_of_beluga_whales_Delphinapterus_leucas

*Selection of suitable reference genes for normalization of quantitative RT-PCR in peripheral blood samples of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283438683_Selection_of_suitable_reference_genes_for_normalization_of_quantitative_RT-PCR_in_peripheral_blood_samples_of_bottlenose_dolphins_Tursiops_truncatus_OPEN

All best,
Jack Yang