Vitellogenin (VTG) conservation in sea turtles: anti-VTG antibody in Chelonia mydas versus Caretta caretta.
Vitellogenin (VTG) is considered as a marker of endocrine disruption. A Western blot method for VTG quantification in Caretta caretta turtle plasma was developed using anti-VTG antibody for Chelonia mydas. A screening of samples (n = 61) collected in the southern Mediterranean Sea around Lampedusa Island, Italy, was performed. The antibody showed a good cross-reactivity with C. caretta VTG, suggesting a certain conservation of the core of the protein in different sea turtle species. The optimal operative condition for Western blot analysis consists of using diluted plasma at 1:50. In field samples, a certain mismatch with morphological sexing was observed, and VTG was detected in young animals. These results suggest the possibility of a precocious activation of VTG-encoding genes before sexual maturation and/or exposure to endocrine disrupter substances.
Zaccaroni
Annalisa
A
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, Research Group on Large Pelagic Vertebrates, Veterinary Medicine School, University of Bologna, FC, Italy. annalisa.zaccaroni@unibo.it
Zucchini
Marina
M
Segatta
Lorenzo
L
Gamberoni
Matteo
M
Freggi
Daniela
D
Accorsi
Pier A
PA
Scaravelli
Dino
D
Gardner
Susan C
SC
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D014426:Turtles / Q000097:blood*; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D014819:Vitellogenins