Hepatic and renal metallothionein concentrations in Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonnii) from Tierra del Fuego, South Atlantic Ocean

CÁCERES SAEZ, I.; POLIZZI, P.; ROMERO, B.; DELLABIANCA, N.; RIBEIRO GUEVARA, S.; GOODALL, R.N.P.; CAPPOZZO, L.; GERPE, M.

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2016

0025-326X

The Commerson´s dolphin is the most common endemic odontoceteof subantarctic waters of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina incidentally caughtin fishing nets. The species is classified as "Data Deficient" by theIUCN. Metallothioneins (MT) are considered as suitable biomarkers forhealth and environmental monitoring. The aims of the study were to assessMT concentrations in liver and kidney of bycaught specimens. Moreover,correlations with Zn, Se, Cd, Ag and Hg, and the molar ratios ofMT:metals were estimate to evaluate if there is an indication of theirrespective protective role against metal toxicity in tissues. Hepatic andrenal MT concentrations were similar, ranging from 11.6 to 29.1 nmol.g-1WW, and Kidney/Liver ratios from 0.73 to 1.93 corresponded to normalranges. Results suggest that MT´s are related to physiological ranges forthe species. This information constitutes the first MT report onCommerson´s dolphins and possible considered as baseline for species´conservation.