Pathological changes and organochlorine residues in tissues of wild otters (Lutra lutra)

Keymer, I. F.; Wells, GA; Mason, C. F.; Macdonald, SM

doi:10.1136/vr.122.7.153

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…when not yet weaned at only 11 weeks of age: it had already accumulated 62 mg of PCBs per kg fat in its liver (Jefferies and Hanson 1987). Two animals from eastern England, containing high concentrations of PCBs, exhibited pathological symptoms, such as ulcers and skin abnormalities (Keymer et al 1988), similar to those recorded in Baltic seals, where the cause was considered to be PCB-induced adrenocortical hyperplasia, resulting in a failure of the immune system (Bergman and Olsson 1986). Clearly such observations have major implications for any proposed reintroduction program for otters.…”

Section: Otters No Longer Inhabit Rivers Like This One That Has Been mentioning

confidence: 66%

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Otters: an action plan for their conservation

Foster-Turley¹,

Macdonald²,

Mason³

1990

101

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Habitats and their living natural resources are under increasing pressures everywhere from humankind. Species, the basic biotic units, are consequently increasingly threatened with extinction. To protect and conserve biodiversity from species level to ecosystem requires management based on understanding of not just biological sciences, but also knowledge of local cultures, environmental economics, and governmental structures and dynamics. Among international responses to deal with this complexity is the Species Survival Commission (SSC), the largest commission of IUCN-The World Conservation Union. Founded in 1963 by noted conservationist Sir Peter Scott, the SSC network has 2500 volunteer member scientists, field researchers, governmental officials, and conservation leaders in 137 countries. They provide technical and scientific counsel for biodiversity conservation projects throughout the world, serving as resources to governments, international conventions, and conservation organizations. SSC works principally through its nearly 100 Specialist Groups, most of which represent particular plant or animal groups. SSC Specialist Groups focus on species either threatened with extinction or of special importance to human welfare. A few groups are disciplinary-veterinary medicine, captive breeding, reintroductions, international trade, and wildlife utilization. Each taxonomic group is charged to assess the conservation status of the chosen species and their habitats, to develop an Action Plan that specifies conservation priorities, and finally to implement required activities outlined in the Plan. Developing an Action Plan may take several months; full implementation of an action agenda may span decades. Action Plans have been completed by 13 Specialist Groups. The Species Survival Commission is the largest of six volunteer commissions of IUCN-The World Conservation Union. Founded in 1948, IUCN enrolls sovereign states, governmental agencies, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations to conserve the world's natural heritage. Besides developing general conservation policy, such as The World Conservation Strategy, IUCN manages conservation projects worldwide for intergovernmental organizations, including projects on tropical forests, wetlands, marine ecosystems, the Sahel, Antarctica, and sustainable development. For more information on the Species Survival Commission and IUCN

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Section: Otters No Longer Inhabit Rivers Like This One That Has Been mentioning

confidence: 66%

“…East Anglia, where these otters were released, is a region of intensive agriculture and is downwind of industrial areas. Neither water quality nor habitat structure is optimal for otters (Mason 1989;Keymer et al 1988).…”

Section: Katherine Railsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Otters: an action plan for their conservation

Foster-Turley¹,

Macdonald²,

Mason³

1990

101

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Adrenal cortical hyperplasia has been recorded twice in otters in Britain and tentatively attributed to ageing, although the possible involvement of pcbs was also considered (Keymer and others 1988, Wells and others 1989). pcbs have been shown to cause adrenal hyperplasia in mink ( Mustela vison ) (Aulerich and others 1985), and have been linked with cortical hyperplasia in two species of seal (Bergman and Olsson 1985).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health status of otters (Lutra lutra) in south‐west England based on postmortem findings

Simpson¹

1997

Veterinary Record

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Seventy-seven wild otters found dead in south-west England between 1988 and 1996 were examined postmortem. Road traffic accidents were responsible for 64 of the deaths and there were marked seasonal peaks. Bite wounds were present in 12 animals and five were considered to have died from their injuries. The animals' general nutritional state was good, but the males were in overall poorer condition than the females. There was little evidence of infectious disease and the results suggested a young, generally healthy population. Adrenal hypertrophy was observed in males dying of bite wounds and in lactating or pregnant females. Convoluted, modular uteri were observed in three females.

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“…Leiomyomas of the reproductive tract occur in several species of domestic animals, including the potbellied pig [49], the quail [50], and the German Shepherd dog [51], and nondomestic animals such as the otter [52], seal [53], cheetah [54], white rhinoceros [55], elephant [56], and crab-eating macaque [57]. Although the high incidence of uterine fibroids and their associated clinical problems are significantly important among reproductive aged women, the molecular basis for the initial myocyte transformation and growth of these tumors remains unknown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the Aging Hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) as an Animal Model for Uterine Leiomyomas1

Machado

Bahr

Hales

et al. 2012

Biology of Reproduction

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Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are the most frequent gynecological tumors in premenopausal women with as many as 65% of women becoming clinically symptomatic. Uterine fibroids are benign myometrial tumors that produce large quantities of extracellular matrix proteins. Despite its high morbidity, the molecular basis underlying the development of uterine leiomyomas is not well understood. Domestic hens of Gallus gallus domesticus develop oviductal leiomyomas similar to those found in humans. We investigated the natural history of chicken leiomyomas, in vivo expression of protein biomarkers, and in vitro expression of ovarian steroid receptors. Based on the analysis of 263 hens, tumor prevalence, tumor number per hen, and tumor size increased as the hens aged. Immunohistochemistry for alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and desmin confirmed the smooth muscle phenotype of the chicken leiomyomas. Intense collagen expression was detected in these oviductal leiomyomas by Mason's trichrome, and the tumors also showed increased expression of TGFB3 and collagen type I mRNAs. Consistent with human leiomyomas, chicken fibroids displayed increased BCL2 and estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) receptor expression. Chicken leiomyomas were dissociated for in vitro culture. Cells from explants were positive for SMA, desmin, and E and P receptors until the fourth passage. These cells also displayed a response similar to human cells when challenged with halofuginone, an antifibrotic agent. Our findings indicate that the chicken is an excellent complementary model for studies involving the pathophysiology of human uterine leiomyomas.

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Pathological changes and organochlorine residues in tissues of wild otters (Lutra lutra)

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Otters: an action plan for their conservation

Otters: an action plan for their conservation

Health status of otters (Lutra lutra) in south‐west England based on postmortem findings

Validation of the Aging Hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) as an Animal Model for Uterine Leiomyomas1

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