The first report on metallothioneins in peripheral blood of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) born in aquarium, Argentina

POLIZZI, PAULA; ROMERO, MA. BELEN; CHIODI BOUDET, LEILA; LOUREIRO, JORGE; GERPE, MARCELA

Conferencia; 28 TH CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN CETACEAN SOCIETY; 2014

Metallothioneins are proteins involved in the homeostasis of essential metals and detoxification of those non-essentials and its role as a protective against oxidative stress is also known. They are considered as biomarkers due to constitute responses at biochemical molecular level, being considered as early warning signals. The blood is a noninvasive method to assess environmental stress and health status, plus sensitivity of biomarkers relevant information can be achieved. Tursiops truncatus is a coastal species and basically ichthyophagous, but the specimens analyzed correspond to dolphins born in oceanarium, feeding exclusively with fish and sometimes with gutted fish. The objective was to evaluate metallothioneins in peripheral blood of bottlenose dolphins born in an aquarium. Three adult male dolphins, with good health status, were analyzed, and they were monitored during one year. Metallothioneins determination was performed by UV -Vis Spectrometry. The cell fraction presented the highest concentrations, 3:1 ratio respect to plasma. Younger dolphins (15-16 years) showed similar concentrations and significantly higher than found in the oldest dolphin (29 years). Metallothionein levels have remained constant throughout the year. The information constitutes the first record of metallothionein for the species, and could be used as reference values.