| Summary: | Most studies conducted on toxicology of killer whales (Orcinus orca) focus on the accumulation of organochlorine compounds. Few heavy metals studies have been published on stranded individuals. The aim of this work is to monitor the accumulation of inorganic compounds in live captive orcas, using non-invasive methods and the periodical veterinary blood sampling in animals kept in a controlled environment. Metal and metalloid contamination has been evaluated in four captive killer whales: one adult and one sub-adult male, and two adult females. Low levels of contaminants were found in all of the animals, with the exception of lead, showing higher levels than observed in wild bottlenose dolphins. One female gave birth during the period of study and showed a decrease in Pb and Fe concentrations and an increase in Zn levels after parturition (0.7 µg/ml vs 0.4 µg/ml; 303.6 µg/ml vs 273.90 µg/ml; 2.92 µg/ml vs 3.121 µg/ml respectively) These changes can be partially ascribed to lactation, as already found in humans and domestic animals. This study is the first step for the definition of reference baseline values for hematic metals in killer whales, to be applied in the future in the study of wild animals.
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