Potential Utility of Blood-based Oxidative Stress Markers in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Abstract
Marine mammals, unlike terrestrial mammals, may have enhanced antioxidant defenses to cope with oxidative stress damage associated with deep diving and the marine environment.1-4 However, little is known about how these animals may combat the effects of oxidative stress. The utility of a variety of blood-based assays to measure oxidative stress in bottlenose dolphins was assessed, including production of superoxide radical (O2•–, ROS), oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, oxidative damage to the DNA, glutathione levels, and ATP. The assays were performed on 2-hour postprandial blood samples collected from 30 dolphins cared for by the U.S. Navy. Our initial results suggest that measurements of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal), protein oxidation (carbonyl content), and catalase may be the best measurements for oxidative stress in bottlenose dolphins.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the management, training, and animal care staff of the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific for their support of this study. We would also like to thank Dr. Laura Kienker from the Office of Naval Research. This study was funded by ONR, Grant Number N000141512131, IACUC Animal Care and Use Protocol #113-2015.
* Presenting author
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