Stress response of wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during capture–release health assessment studies

Fair, Patricia A.; Schaefer, Adam M.; Romano, Tracy A.; Bossart, Gregory D.; Lamb, Simon; Reif, John S.

doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.07.002

Cited by 75 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The highest levels of ACTH were found in the IRL dolphins which were significantly higher than each of the other groups. The differences in ACTH concentrations between the two wild dolphin populations is consistent with a recent study of acute stress during capture-release in which CHS dolphins had lower ACTH values than IRL dolphins [8]. The cortisol values for both wild dolphin populations measured during previous capture-release studies [8] were higher than those obtained in the present study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The differences in ACTH concentrations between the two wild dolphin populations is consistent with a recent study of acute stress during capture-release in which CHS dolphins had lower ACTH values than IRL dolphins [8]. The cortisol values for both wild dolphin populations measured during previous capture-release studies [8] were higher than those obtained in the present study. However, the earlier analyses for cortisol and ACTH were performed in another laboratory and methodological differences between laboratories may explain these differences.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Assessing the physiological response to stress in wild dolphins is difficult since the processes of capture and blood collection induce stress [4, 8]. Therefore, a cautionary approach should be taken when evaluating these measurements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in the stress response is responsible for release of the catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine (EPI) [7]. Examination of corticosteroid hormones and catecholamines in wild-caught dolphins demonstrated that the general mammalian response to the acute stress of capture and restraint could be elicited [8]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The environment as a driver of immune and endocrine responses in dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

et al. 2017

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Immune and endocrine responses play a critical role in allowing animals to adjust to environmental perturbations. We measured immune and endocrine related markers in multiple samples from individuals from two managed-care care dolphin groups (n = 82 samples from 17 dolphins and single samples collected from two wild dolphin populations: Indian River Lagoon, (IRL) FL (n = 26); and Charleston, (CHS) SC (n = 19). The immune systems of wild dolphins were more upregulated than those of managed-care-dolphins as shown by higher concentrations of IgG and increases in lysozyme, NK cell function, pathogen antibody titers and leukocyte cytokine transcript levels. Collectively, managed-care care dolphins had significantly lower levels of transcripts encoding pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF, anti-viral MX1 and INFα and regulatory IL-10. IL-2Rα and CD69, markers of lymphocyte activation, were both lower in managed-care care dolphins. IL-4, a cytokine associated with TH2 activity, was lower in managed-care care dolphins compared to the free-ranging dolphins. Differences in immune parameters appear to reflect the environmental conditions under which these four dolphin populations live which vary widely in temperature, nutrition, veterinary care, pathogen/contaminant exposures, etc. Many of the differences found were consistent with reduced pathogenic antigenic stimulation in managed-care care dolphins compared to wild dolphins. Managed-care care dolphins had relatively low TH2 lymphocyte activity and fewer circulating eosinophils compared to wild dolphins. Both of these immunologic parameters are associated with exposure to helminth parasites which is uncommon in managed-care care dolphins. Less consistent trends were observed in a suite of hormones but significant differences were found for cortisol, ACTH, total T4, free T3, and epinephrine. While the underlying mechanisms are likely multiple and complex, the marked differences observed in the immune and endocrine systems of wild and managed-care care dolphins appear to be shaped by their environment.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The environment as a driver of immune and endocrine responses in dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

et al. 2017

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“…Aubin & Dierauf 2001). It was also higher than cortisol levels reported in most cetaceans subjected to capture stress, although methodological differences may invalidate direct comparisons (Thomson & Geraci 1986, Orlov et al 1991, St. Aubin et al 1996, Suzuki et al 1998, Kjeld 2001, Schmitt et al 2010, Fair et al 2014, Hart et al 2015. Stranded whales experience gradual respiratory and cardiovascular collapse (without their neutral buoyancy in seawater), along with blistered skin, hyperthermia, and being scavenged on while alive (by gulls in this case), resulting in severe distress (Harms et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Fecal glucocorticoids and anthropogenic injury and mortality in North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis

Rolland¹,

McLellan²,

Moore³

et al. 2017

Endang. Species. Res.

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Nanospray liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis of steroids from gray whale blubber

Hayden

Bhawal

Escobedo

et al. 2017

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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RATIONALE: Analysis of steroids from precious blubber biopsies obtained from marine mammals, especially endangered species, can provide valuable information on their endocrine status. Challenges with currently used ELISA methodology include lack of absolute quantitation and incompatibility with multiple steroids analysis due to limited biopsy mass. Development of a sensitive, accurate analytical method for this purpose is critical. METHODS: A nanospray liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC/MS/MS) method was validated for sensitive, specific and quantitative analysis of three steroid hormones, without derivatization, extracted from 50 mg blubber samples. Data was acquired with an LTQ XL ion trap mass spectrometer in positive ion mode, using single reaction monitoring. All three steroids were analyzed in a single run. Cholic acid was used as a surrogate internal standard for quantitation due to its steroidal structure and lack of measurable endogenous levels in blubber. RESULTS: The lowest limits of quantitation for progesterone, testosterone, and hydrocortisone were significantly improved compared to previous studies using conventional LC/MS/MS. The lowest limit of detection was 7 fg/μL using a 1 μL injection volume. Calibration curves for steroid quantification showed good linearity (r 2 >0.99) between 14 and 3620 fg/μL, and accuracy was <20% for interday and <10% for intraday. After validation, the method was successfully applied to quantification of steroids in gray whale blubber samples. CONCLUSIONS: The nanoLC/MS/MS method is more sensitive than traditional LC/MS/MS for steroid analysis. It is also compatible with other important biopsy analyses due to its small blubber mass requirement. This will benefit the reproductive and stress assessments for all marine mammals, particularly endangered populations.

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Stress response of wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during capture–release health assessment studies

Cited by 75 publications

References 43 publications

The environment as a driver of immune and endocrine responses in dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

The environment as a driver of immune and endocrine responses in dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Fecal glucocorticoids and anthropogenic injury and mortality in North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis

Nanospray liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis of steroids from gray whale blubber

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