title: Effects of handling stress on plasma enzymes in harp seals, Phoca groenlandica.
abstract: Three harp seal pups, Phoca groenlandica, were captured on the ice of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and subjected to 3 h of transportation and handling stress. The activities of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT), aldolase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and leucine aminopeptidase were determined in serial blood samples collected for 4 d following the stress episode. Marked elevation of plasma CK activity was observed 3 h after capture. Values returned to normal in 12 h in two seals, and by 24 h in the third. Slight elevations in AspAT were also noted; the remaining enzymes were unaffected. Plasma CK is recommended as a sensitive indicator of handling stress in seals.
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D010872:Caniformia / Q000097:blood*; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase / Q000097:blood; D007931:Leucyl Aminopeptidase / Q000097:blood; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000097:blood*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000201:enzymology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D007931:Leucyl Aminopeptidase; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase