Subcellular distribution of trace elements in kidney of a mother–fetus pair of Dall’s porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli)

Jian, Yang; Kunito, Takashi; Anan, Yasumi; Tanabe, Shinsuke; Miyazaki, Nobuyuki

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.08.023

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Knowledge about the maternal transfer of metals to offspring is also very limited in marine mammals. Previous studies showed that females may pass some trace elements to their offspring through the placenta (Lahaye et al, 2007;Storelli and Marcotrigiano, 2000;Wagemann et al, 1988;Yang et al, 2004Yang et al, , 2008. Nevertheless, the importance of how these modes of transfer occur to element dynamics remains to be seen (Woshner et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood dynamics of mercury and selenium in northern elephant seals during the lactation period

Habran

Debier

Crocker

et al. 2011

Environmental Pollution

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a b s t r a c tThe effects of reproduction and maternal investment (i.e., milk transfer) on trace element levels remain poorly understood in marine mammals. We examined the blood dynamics of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) during lactation in the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), a top predator from the North Pacific Ocean. Total Hg and Se levels were measured in whole blood and milk of 10 motherepup pairs on days 5 and 22 of lactation. Both Hg and Se were transferred to offspring through the milk. Results suggested that the maternal transfer of Se was prominent during lactation, whereas the Hg transfer was larger during gestation. The lactation period affected Hg and Se levels in the blood of elephant seal mothers and pups. Physiological processes and their relationship to body condition should be considered carefully when interpreting trace element levels in the framework of biomonitoring.

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