Element concentrations and histopathology of liver and kidney in West Greenland ringed seals (Pusa hispida)

• Published in: Animals
• Main Authors: Andersen-Ranberg, Emilie Ulrikka, Leifsson, Páll S., Riget, Frank Farsø, Søndergaard, Jens, Andersen, Steen, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, Dietz, Rune, Sonne, Christian
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Greenland; Pusa hispida; Qaanaaq
• Online Access: https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/publications/6444809b-e4bd-485f-b2fb-025d8f33d0e4; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14121739

Ringed seals are consumed in Greenland and are therefore included as key biomonitoring species with focus on pollution exposure and health effects. Ringed seals in Central West Greenland (Queqertarsuaq) and in North West Greenland (Qaanaaq) were analyzed for metal concentrations in liver and histological changes in liver and kidney. The mean liver concentration of mercury in Qaanaaq was 3.73±5.01µg/g ww (range: 0.28-23.29µg/g ww), mean cadmium concentration was 7.80±8.95µg/g ww (range: 0.013-38.79µg/g ww). For Queqertarsuaq, liver concentration of mercury was 1.78±1.70µg/g ww (range: 0.45-8.00µg/g ww) and mean cadmium concentrations was 11.58±6.32µg/g ww (range: 0.11-25.45ug/g ww). Age had positive effect on liver concentrations of metals, while no effect was found for sex nor histological changes. Prevalence of histological changes in liver tissue decreased in the following order: random pattern mononuclear cell infiltration (92.1%) > portal cell infiltration (68.4%), hepatic intracellular fat (18.4%), portal fibrosis (7.9%), focal hepatic fibrosis (7.9%), bile duct hyperplasia/fibrosis (7.9%) and lipid granuloma (2.6%). Kidney tissue: glomerular mesangial deposits (54.1%) > glomerular basement membrane thickening (45.9%) > THD (40%) > tubular hyaline casts (14.0%) > glomerular atrophy (13.5%) > dilated tubules (13.5%) > glomerular hyper-cellularity (10.8%) > mononuclear cell infiltrations (8.1%).