Blood-based biomarkers of selenium and thyroid status indicate possible adverse biological effects of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears

• Published in: Environmental Research
• Main Authors: Knott, Katrina K., Schenk, Patricia, Beyerlein, Susan, Boyd, Daryle, Ylitalo, Gina M., O’Hara, Todd. M.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Article; Beaufort Sea
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210918; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21903210; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2011.08.009

We examined biomarkers of selenium status (whole blood Se, serum Se, and glutathione peroxidase activity) and thyroid status (concentrations and ratios of thyroxine, T4, and tri-iodothyronine, T3, and albumin) in polar bears to assess variations among cohorts, and relationships to circulating concentrations of contaminants. Concentrations of total mercury (Hg) in whole blood were similar among cohorts (prime aged males and females, older animals ages ≥ 16 years, and young animals ages 1 – 5 years; 48.44 ± 35. 81; p = 0.253). Concentrations of sum of seven polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCB7) in whole blood were greater in females (with and without cubs, 26.44 ± 25.82 ng/g ww) and young (26.81 ± 10.67 ng/g ww) compared to males (8.88 ± 5.76 ng/g ww, p < 0.001), and significantly related to reduced body condition scores (p < 0.001). Concentrations of Se and albumin were significantly greater in males than females (whole blood Se, males, 42.34 pmol/g ww; females, 36.25 ± 6.27 pmol/g ww, p = 0.019; albumin, males, 4.34 ± 0.34 g/dl, females, 4.10 ± 0.29 g/dL, p = 0.018). Glutathione peroxidase activity ranged from 109.1 – 207.8 mU/mg hemoglobin, but did not differ significantly by sex or age (p > 0.08). Thyroid hormones were greater in females (solitary females and females with cubs) compared to males (p < 0.001). Biomarkers of Se status and concentrations of T3 were significantly positively related to Hg in all prime aged polar bears (p < 0.03). Albumin concentrations were significantly positively related to total TT4, and significantly negatively related to concentrations of ΣPCB7 (p < 0.003). Total thyroxine (TT4) was significantly negatively associated with blood concentrations of ΣPCB7 in solitary females (p = 0.045). These data suggest that female polar bears were more susceptible to changes in blood-based biomarkers of selenium and thyroid status than males. Further classifications of the physiologic states of polar bears and repeated measures of individuals over time are needed to accurately ...