Metal-Induced Impairment of the Cellular Immunity of Newborn Harbor Seals (Phoca Vitulina)

Kakuschke, Antje; Valentine-Thon, Elizabeth; Fonfara, Sonja; Griesel, Simone; Rosenberger, Tanja; Siebert, Ursula; Prange, Andreas

doi:10.1007/s00244-007-9092-3

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…However, newborn harbor seals revealed strong mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation , consistent with developed T-lymphocyte function (Ross et al, 1993(Ross et al, , 1994Kakuschke et al, 2008), but increased susceptibility to toxic effects of metals (Kakuschke et al, 2008). This result supports the conclusion that the harbor seal newborns have a relative immunocompetence as reflection of an evolutionary adaptation to its short nursing period and limited maternal care (Ross et al, 1994).…”

supporting

confidence: 74%

Cytokine and acute phase protein expression in blood samples of harbour seal pups

Fonfara

Kakuschke²,

Rosenberger³

et al. 2008

Mar Biol

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supporting

confidence: 74%

Cytokine and acute phase protein expression in blood samples of harbour seal pups

Fonfara

Kakuschke²,

Rosenberger³

et al. 2008

Mar Biol

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“…The special modification, MELISA (Memory Lymphocyte Immunostimulation Assay), was performed as previously described in the Laboratory Center Bremen, Germany [25][26][27]. The mitogen-and nonstimulated lymphocyte proliferation was tested as well as the metalspecific proliferation after stimulation with the following metals/metal species: Al, Au, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, ethylmercury (EtHg), mercurychloride (HgCl), methylmercury (MeHg), phenylmercury (PhHg), Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Ti.…”

Section: Metal Hypersensitivitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postmortem Health and Pollution Investigations on Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) of the Islands Helgoland and Sylt

Kakuschke¹,

Gandrass²,

Luzardo

et al. 2012

ISRN Zoology

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Helgoland and Sylt are important centers of tourism in the North Sea. Harbor and grey seals are one reason for the attraction of these islands. However, little is known about these local seal groups. The present postmortem health and pollution study describes a multiparameter investigation of five ill harbor seals which were shot for animal welfare reasons. Firstly, results of pathology and blood investigations support the bad prognosis of survival made in the field. Signs of inflammation in organs, malnutrition, a high-stress level, and reduced thyroid activity were found. Secondly, metal and organic contaminants were investigated. Metal pollutants in blood, liver, muscle, and kidney tissue were not elevated. Lead and mercury concentrations showed a decreased level compared to former studies. Additionally, interesting insights were found for several organic contaminants in comparison with other studies. The Helgoland seals may be influenced by the contaminants of the Elbe plume.

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“…Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies on seal pups. A useful way is the investigation of the newborn and infant pups living in the Seal Centre Friedrichskoog, Germany to get baseline information to health parameters of pups [1,2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrations of Selected Essential and Non-essential Elements in Blood of Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) Pups of the German North Sea

Kakuschke¹,

Griesel²,

Fonfara³

et al. 2008

Biol Trace Elem Res

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This study on harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pups of the North Sea evaluated concentrations of 14 essential and non-essential elements (Al, As, Be, Ca, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, and Zn) in whole blood samples. The essential elements are analyzed to give references for health status determinations of pups. The measurement of classic toxic metals, like Pb or Cd, and other elements that may be in toxic concentrations in blood, is important due to their influence on health, particularly on the immune system. Blood samples of six seal pups found on the German Wadden Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein in 2004 and transported to the Seal Centre Friedrichskoog, Germany were collected. The blood sampling was performed three times, immediately after collection of the newborns, after 1.5 months, and after 2 months before their release back into the wild. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry were used to determine the element concentrations. We found higher concentrations of Al, As, Fe, Mo, and Zn in blood samples of newborns compared to samples collected later, probably due to transplacental and lactational transfer from mother to fetus. Furthermore, there is a high need for, in particular, Fe and Zn in the developing organism, which may cause reduced values after some month. In contrast, the concentrations of Be, Cd, Ca, Cr, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, and Sn, which were low in newborns and increased during the study, may be due to the fish fed to infant pups. Compared to free-ranging adults, in pups, the concentrations of Al, Ni, and Pb were higher in contrast to lower concentrations of As, Mn, and Mo. This case study is the first report on element levels in harbor seal pups of the North Sea.

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Metal-Induced Impairment of the Cellular Immunity of Newborn Harbor Seals (Phoca Vitulina)

Cited by 22 publications

References 36 publications

Cytokine and acute phase protein expression in blood samples of harbour seal pups

Cytokine and acute phase protein expression in blood samples of harbour seal pups

Postmortem Health and Pollution Investigations on Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) of the Islands Helgoland and Sylt

Concentrations of Selected Essential and Non-essential Elements in Blood of Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) Pups of the German North Sea

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