Marine mammals serve as sentinels of the health of the oceans. Unexplained die offs of coastal species, such as bottlenose dolphins, have heightened the awareness of the plight of marine mammals. In addition, we have become more cognizant of our influence on the environment, particularly in terms of pollutants. Indeed, contaminants like PCB's are known to adversely affect the health of marine mammals. In well-studied animal systems (human, mice, etc.), strong correlations between environmental toxins and the adverse affects they have on the host's immune system suggest that marine mammals may suffer from similar immunological insults and/or deficiencies. These concerns have spired several laboratories, internationally, to undertake scientific studies related to marine mammals. However, research directed toward the marine mammal immune system has been limited due to the lack of species-specific immunological reagents.

We have initiated studies to develop monoclonal antibodies, functional immune assays, and gene probes to acquire baseline data on the immune system of healthy bottlenose dolphins. The immunological reagents and baseline data will be used to assess the impact of environmental contaminants on the immune system of this species, to examine specific diseases affecting dolphins, and to study the effects of captivity. In addition to their utility as basic research tools, the immunological reagents will have application in diagnostics and therapeutics which will directly improve the well-being of this species and help insure their survival in the wild.

The authors would like to especially acknowledge Dr. Sam Ridgway for his contributions and mentorship.