RESUMEN
In this work, a suite of diagnostic biomarkers was applied to seven cetacean species to evaluate the role of the feeding habits and migratory behavior in the toxicological status of these species from the Gulf of California, Mexico. We investigate the interspecific differences in cytochrome P450 1A1 and 2B (CYP1A1 and CYP2B, respectively), aryl hydrocarbon receptor and E2F transcription factor 1 and the contaminants levels [organochlorine compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] in four odontocete species (common bottlenose dolphin, long-beaked common dolphin, sperm whale and killer whale) and three mysticete species (blue whale, fin whale, and Bryde's whale) using skin biopsy. Differences in contaminant levels and molecular biomarker responses between the odontocete and mysticete species have been pointed out. The canonical discriminant analysis on principal component analysis factors, performed to reveal clustering variables, shows that odontocete are characterised by the highest levels of lipophilic contaminants compared to the mysticete, with the highest levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes and PBDEs detected in killer whale and the lowest levels in Bryde's whale. The biomarker data show interspecific differences amongst the seven species, revealing highest CYP1A and CYP2B protein levels in the mysticete fish-eating species (Bryde's whale). In conclusion, three main factors seem to regulate the biomarker responses in these species: (a) the inductive ability of persistent organic pollutants and PAHs; (b) the different evolutionary process of the two CYPs related to the different feeding habits of the species; (c) the migratory/resident behaviour of the mysticete species in this area.
Asunto(s)
Migración Animal , Delfines/metabolismo , Conducta Alimentaria , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/metabolismo , Ballenas/metabolismo , Animales , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Biopsia , Análisis por Conglomerados , Citocromo P-450 CYP1A1/metabolismo , Factor de Transcripción E2F1/metabolismo , Hábitos , Éteres Difenilos Halogenados/análisis , Éteres Difenilos Halogenados/metabolismo , Hidrocarburos Clorados/análisis , Hidrocarburos Clorados/metabolismo , México , Bifenilos Policlorados/análisis , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análisis , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/metabolismo , Receptores de Hidrocarburo de Aril/metabolismo , Piel/química , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/efectos adversos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisAsunto(s)
Acetilcolinesterasa/análisis , Biomarcadores/análisis , Citocromo P-450 CYP1A1/análisis , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Peces/fisiología , Contaminantes del Agua/análisis , Acetilcolinesterasa/metabolismo , Animales , Encéfalo/enzimología , Citocromo P-450 CYP1A1/metabolismo , Inducción Enzimática , Contaminantes del Agua/efectos adversosRESUMEN
In this preliminary study on sea birds we propose the use of porphyrins in excreta as a biomarker of exposure to contaminants. Samples of excreta were obtained from colonies of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis thagus), neotropic cormorants (Phalacrocorax olivaceus), and kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) in three areas of the south coast of Chile with different human impact (Tubul, Talcahuano, and Valdivia). They were analyzed for porphyrin content (copro-, uro-, and protoporphyrins and total porphyrins) by a rapid fluorimetric method and by HPLC. The main outcomes of the study were: (a) kelp gulls and neotropic cormorants living in areas with high human impact showed a clear capacity to accumulate and eliminate porphyrins in the excreta; (b) species-related accumulation capacities are likely, as shown by the different levels found in different species living in the same area; (c) the porphyrin profile obtained by fluorimetry and HPLC showed a higher percentage of protoporphyrin than the other porphyrins; (d) although the fluorimetric method of Grandchamp is semiquantitative, it was found to be sensitive enough to detect differences in samples from field studies. The positive results of this preliminary study make it possible to propose this nondestructive method for a variety of field applications.
Asunto(s)
Biomarcadores/análisis , Aves/fisiología , Contaminantes Ambientales/efectos adversos , Porfirinas/análisis , Animales , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Heces/química , Distribución TisularRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for assessing the toxicological risk of endangered populations of pinnipeds based on a nondestructive biological tool, the skin biopsy specimen. Skin biopsies can be obtained from pinnipeds by anaesthetising the animals and taking a small amount of skin in the anterior flipper area, or by shooting a biopsy dart with a crossbow. Skin biopsy material is suitable for a wide range of chemical and biomarker analysis. Organochlorines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can be analysed in subcutaneous fat and MFO activity (BPMO), Cyt.P450 isoforms, and DNA damage can be detected in epidermis.
Asunto(s)
Caniformia/metabolismo , Microsomas Hepáticos/enzimología , Oxigenasas de Función Mixta/análisis , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análisis , Phocidae/metabolismo , Piel/enzimología , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Animales , Argentina , Biomarcadores/análisis , Biopsia , Sistema Enzimático del Citocromo P-450/análisis , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Femenino , Isoenzimas/análisis , Masculino , Microsomas Hepáticos/metabolismo , Oxigenasas de Función Mixta/metabolismo , Residuos de Plaguicidas/análisis , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/metabolismo , Agua de Mar/química , Piel/patología , Pruebas de ToxicidadRESUMEN
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.