title: Tissue-specific congener composition of organohalogen and metabolite contaminants in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus).
abstract: Congener patterns of the major organohalogen contaminant classes of PCBs, PBDEs and their metabolites and/or by-products (OH-PCBs, MeSO2-PCBs, OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs) were examined in adipose tissue, liver, brain and blood of East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). PCB, OH-PCB, MeSO2-PCB and PBDE congener patterns showed significant differences (p<or=0.05) mainly in the liver and the brain relative to the adipose tissue and the blood. OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs were not detected in the brain and liver, but had different patterns in blood versus the adipose tissue. Novel OH-polybrominated biphenyls (OH-PBBs), one tri- and two tetra-brominated OH-PBBs were detected in all tissues and blood. Congener pattern differences among tissues and blood are likely due to a combination of factors, e.g., biotransformation and retention in the liver, retention in the blood and blood-brain barrier transport. Our findings suggest that different congener pattern exposures to these classes of contaminants should be considered with respect to potential target tissue-specific effects in East Greenland polar bears.
authors: National Wildlife Research Centre, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
authors: Wouter A
authors: WA
authors: Gebbink
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Sonne
authors: Rune
authors: R
authors: Dietz
authors: Maja
authors: M
authors: Kirkegaard
authors: Frank F
authors: FF
authors: Riget
authors: Erik W
authors: EW
authors: Born
authors: Derek C G
authors: DC
authors: Muir
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Letcher
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006116:Greenland; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D001503:Ursidae / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; C086401:pentabromodiphenyl ether; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls