title: Molecular biomarkers in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) to evaluate pollutant exposure, health and immune status.
abstract: Grey seals as top-predators bioaccumulate contaminants and can be considered as sentinels of eco-system health. Pups are weaned after a short nursing period, characterised by an enormous lipid transfer and exposure to contaminants. This study established molecular biomarkers of the xenobiotic metabolism and immune system to help assess health and immune status. mRNA transcription of AHR, ARNT, PPARα and cytokine IL-2 and heat-shock-protein HSP70 was measured in blood of grey seal pups and adults in rehabilitation and permanent care using RT-qPCR and compared to rehabilitating harbour seal pups and haematology values. In pups highest levels at admission in xenobiotic biomarker, HSP70 and cytokine transcription may show contaminant exposure via lactation, stress during abandonment and dehydration. The significant decrease may be linked to diet, health improvement and adaptation. Adults showed higher levels and more variation in biomarker transcription and clear species-specific differences between harbour and grey seal pups were found.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761 Büsum, Germany; Institute for Coastal Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany. Electronic address: kristina.lehnert@tiho-hannover.de.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lehnert
authors.affiliation: Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761 Büsum, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761 Büsum, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weirup
authors.affiliation: Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761 Büsum, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ronnenberg
authors.affiliation: Hel Marine Station, University of Gdansk, Morska 2, 84-150 Hel, Poland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pawliczka
authors.affiliation: Seal Centre Friedrichskoog, An der Seeschleuse 4, 25718 Friedrichskoog, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rosenberger
authors.affiliation: Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761 Büsum, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Siebert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051784:Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D005819:Genetic Markers; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D047493:PPAR alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005819:Genetic Markers; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D007376:Interleukin-2; D047493:PPAR alpha; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D015262:Xenobiotics; D051784:Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator
keywords: Halichoerus grypus; Immune function; Multiple stresses; Pollution effects; Xenobiotic metabolism; mRNA biomarker