Kakuschke, A.; Valentine-Thon, E.; Fonfara,
S.; Griesel, S.; Rosenberger, T.; Siebert, U.; Prange, A. Metal-induced
impairment of the cellular immunity of newborn harbour seals (Phoca vitulina).
2008. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. DOI: 10.1007/s00244-007-9092-3.
abstract
The cellular immunity of newborn harbor seals
and the influence of pollutants are rarely investigated. This study evaluated
the lymphocyte proliferation using a lymphocyte proliferation test (LTT)
to understand the dynamics of immune response in seal pups of varying ages
from the moment they arrived in a seal center after active beaching until
their release into wildlife 3 months later after rehabilitation. Moreover,
the effect of various metals (Ag, Al, Au, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, different
Hg compounds, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Sn, Ti) on lymphocyte proliferation in
terms of immunosuppression and hypersensitivity was investigated. First,
a strong lymphocyte proliferation in newborns as a reflection of relative
immunocompetence was found. Second, different metal-induced influences
on lymphocyte proliferation such as specific inhibition by Be, Cd, Hg,
and Sn as well as stimulation induced by Mo and Ni were determined. For
seals tested repeatedly, the suppressive effect was detected in newborns
but not found in the same animals when they were older and had become immunologically
competent. Summarizing, the lymphocyte proliferation used as a marker in
this investigation provided useful immunological information on these developing
animals, and its application for toxicological studies on pollutants can
be recommended.
PDFs are available online at (online first):
http://www.springerlink.com/content/100119/
Griesel, S.; Kakuschke, A.; Siebert, U.;
Prange, A. Trace element concentration in blood of harbor seals (Phoca
vitulina) from the Wadden Sea. 2008. The Science of the Total Environment.DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.10.062
abstract
Concentrations of 23 elements (Be, Al, K,
Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Sn,
Pt, Pb) were evaluated in whole blood samples of live harbor seals (Phoca
vitulina) from two different locations in the Wadden Sea, the Lorenzenplate
in Germany, and the Danish island Rømø. Elemental blood levels were compared
to data from literature of seals, other marine mammals and humans. While
homeostatically controlled elements showed no differences, concentrations
of As, Cr, Mn, Mo, Se, and V were higher than human levels. Furthermore,
animals from both locations showed significant geographical differences
in whole blood concentrations of Al, Mn, Cu, and Pt. These findings could
be explained by differences in feeding areas. The element pattern was not
affected by gender. In conclusion, these findings indicate an impact of
the environment on biochemical blood parameters of the harbor seals. The
significant differences of elements in blood samples of two groups of seals,
which were associated with geographical variations of prey support the
use of element pattern in blood as tool for investigation of environmental
impact on seals.
PDFs are available online at (article in
press):
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00489697
Please direct further questions to:
Dr. Kakuschke, Antje
Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry
Institute for Coastal Research
GKSS- Research Center Geesthacht
Max-Planck-Strasse 1
D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 4152 / 87 1839
Fax: +49 (0) 4152 / 87 1875
E-mail: antje.kakuschke@gkss.de
http://www.gkss.de