Cytochrome P450 1A as a biomarker of contaminant exposure in free-ranging marine mammals ...
Marine mammals are exposed to high concentrations of organochlorine contaminants that have been linked to adverse health effects. Hepatic cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) is a widely used biomarker of organochlorine exposure. CYP1A catalyzes the biotransformation of xenobiotic compounds and is specificall...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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University of British Columbia
2009
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0090772 https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0090772 |
| Summary: | Marine mammals are exposed to high concentrations of organochlorine contaminants that have been linked to adverse health effects. Hepatic cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) is a widely used biomarker of organochlorine exposure. CYP1A catalyzes the biotransformation of xenobiotic compounds and is specifically induced by planar aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons. CYP1A analysis has traditionally involved harvesting liver samples from dead animals. However, because of legal and ethical constraints, the use of liver for biomarker studies in free-ranging marine mammals has become increasingly unacceptable. The objective of this study was to determine whether CYP1A in skin biopsies, obtained using minimally-invasive techniques, could be used as a biomarker of organochlorine exposure in wild harbour seals and killer whales. This study consisted of three groups: (1) 20 free-ranging harbour seal pups were captured in southern British Columbia (BC) and temporarily housed in captivity. Skin-blubber and liver biopsies were ... |
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