title: Are metal-induced hypersensitivities in harbor seals associated with liver function?
abstract: Environmental exposure to metals is believed to affect marine mammal health adversely including immunosuppression or acute as well as chronic inflammatory processes leading to hypersensitivities or autoimmune diseases. Metal-specific hypersensitivities were found in several pinnipeds of the North Sea. However, hypersensitivity is a complex phenomenon whose characteristics are still not completely understood; in particular, effects on health are not well established. In the present study, we compared basic hematological and biochemical parameters of seals with and without metal-specific hypersensitivities. We found altered hematological parameters and liver enzyme patterns in seals with a metal-induced hypersensitivity, including a reduction in macrophages, an increase in lymphocytes, and elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase. These findings support the suggestion of a chronic influence of metal pollutants on the health of marine mammals of the North Sea.
authors: Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany. antjekakuschke@web.de
authors: Antje
authors: A
authors: Kakuschke
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Valentine-Thon
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Griesel
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: Fonfara
authors: Ursula
authors: U
authors: Siebert
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Prange
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D008670:Metals / Q000633:toxicity*; D009659:North Sea; D046049:Phoca / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase