title: Maternal-to-fetal transfer and concentration profiles of PCB congeners for Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) from Hokkaido, Japan.
abstract: The concentrations of PCB congeners in the blubber and liver of mother Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; SSLs) and their fetuses from the coast of Hokkaido, Japan in 2008, 2010 and 2012 were analyzed by HRGC-HRMS, in order to elucidate PCB congener profiles and maternal-to-fetal transfer of PCBs in SSLs. ΣPCBs in the fetuses were 1400 ± 660 (the mean ± SD) ng/g-fat in the blubber and 570 ± 320 ng/g-fat in the liver, respectively. There was a concern that SSLs had been contaminated by PCBs during the fetal period. The concentrations of the major congeners in the blubber and liver were a correlation between the fetus and mother (blubber: r=0.9934, liver: r=0.9160; P ≦ 0.05). The results indicated that PCBs in the fetuses came from the mothers. #177 and #199 showed no correlations between the fetus and the mother in the blubber and liver. This indicated a selective capture by some natural protector such as the placenta.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, N10-W5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan. Electronic address: 76083004@ees.hokudai.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Sciences, Environmental and Geological Research Department, Hokkaido Research Organization, N19-W12, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0819, Japan. Electronic address: k-yamaguchi@hro.or.jp.
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.affiliation: Shiretoko Nature Foundation, 531 Iwaubetsu, Shari-cho, Hokkaido 099-4356, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishinazaka
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Division of Marine Bioresources and Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan.
authors.forename: Wakana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Management Division, Hokkaido National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, Katsurakoi 116, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0802, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hattori
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, N10-W5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan.
authors.forename: Shunitz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007564:Japan; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D046070:Sea Lions / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Congeners; Fetus; Hokkaido, Japan; Maternal-to-fetal transfer; PCBs; Steller sea lion