Cytochrome P450 1A as a biomarker of contaminant exposure in free-ranging marine mammals ...

• Main Author: Miller, Kelsey A.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2009
• Subjects: harbour seal
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0090772; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0090772

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 ...