title: Distribution of mercury and selenium in blood compartments of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida.
abstract: Total mercury and selenium concentrations ([THg], [Se]) in serum, plasma, whole blood, and packed cells were examined in a resident population of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA. The authors determined how these elements partition in blood and assess compartment-specific associations. Determining the distribution of Se and THg can provide physiologic insight into potential association of Hg with selenol-containing biomolecules (e.g., antioxidants) in blood compartments. Concentrations of THg were ranked serum < plasma < whole blood < packed cells; whereas for Se concentrations, plasma < serum < whole blood < packed cells. The Se:THg molar ratio was greater than 1 in all compartments, with the higher ratios found in serum and plasma (plasma < serum) and the lower in whole blood and packed cells (packed cells < whole blood). Age was positively correlated with [THg] in all blood compartments and with [Se] in serum, plasma, and whole blood. Age was negatively correlated with Se:THg molar ratios in all blood compartments, driven by low [THg] in young animals. Although [THg] was highly correlated among all blood compartments, this was not the case for [Se]. The feasibility of calculating packed cell [THg], [Se], and Se:THg molar ratios using hematocrit measurements in combination with whole blood and plasma [THg] and [Se] was validated, allowing routine assessment of compartmentalization within erythrocytes using standard clinical measurements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA.
authors.forename: Lucero
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: J Margaret
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Castellini
authors.forename: Randall S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Hara
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D061006:Bays; D050681:Bottle-Nosed Dolphin / Q000097:blood*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005431:Florida; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000097:blood; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D018036:Selenium Compounds; C442270:selenol; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Blood; Bottlenose dolphins; Mercury; Selenium; Selenium to mercury ratio