title: Skin biopsy as a nondestructive tool for the toxicological assessment of endangered populations of pinnipeds: preliminary results on mixed function oxidase in Otaria flavescens.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biology, University of Siena, Italy. Fossi@unisi.it
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fossi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Savelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casini
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Junin
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Castello
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lorenzani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D010872:Caniformia / Q000378:metabolism*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000378:metabolism*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D012867:Skin / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007527:Isoenzymes; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases