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At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Hematology and serum chemistry comparisons between free-ranging and rehabilitated harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) pups.

The objectives of this study were to compare the hematology and serum chemistry values between free-ranging and stranded harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) pups and to ascertain how blood values of stranded pups changed during the rehabilitation process. Coincident with these comparisons, reference values were obtained for free-ranging pups. Stranded harbor seal pups (n = 28) recovered from areas between Pebble Beach and Moss Landing, California (USA) were admitted to The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, from March to May 1995, 1996, and 1998. Blood samples were collected from harbor seal pups before and after rehabilitation. As a control group, wild harbor seal pups were captured at Pebble Beach and Elkhorn Slough (n = 42) during the 1995, 1996, and 1998 pupping seasons. Mean eosinophil and calcium values of wild pups were significantly greater than those of newly admitted pups, whereas mean bands, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and chloride values were significantly lower (P < or = 0.05). Mean neutrophil, band, lymphocyte, eosinophil, basophil, calcium, phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen, potassium, total protein, and globulin values of rehabilitated pups increased significantly after 2-3 mo in captivity, whereas, mean red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, cholesterol, and total bilirubin values decreased significantly (P < or = 0.05).

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Modified albumin in harp seal blood serum].

The content of modified albumin (Am) in harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandica Erxleben, 1777) blood serum was studied. Am was determined by paper electrophoresis by means of re-precipitation in the trichloroacetic acid-ethanol system. Modified albumin content in normal seal pups' blood serum increased from 1990 to 1994. The Am level in undernourished pups was stable from year to year and higher than in normal pups. In oceanarium investigations it was revealed a low albumin resistance to denaturation and the dependence of Am content on the animals' physiological state. Thus there is a possibility to regard modified albumin content as one of the significant parameters in biomonitoring of harp seal population and, moreover, as a supplementary criterion for estimation of seals' health state in captivity.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Modeling biomagnification and metabolism of contaminants in harp seals of the Barents Sea.

A simple fugacity-based bioaccumulation model is presented for harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), which feed primarily on polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and a pelagic crustacean (Themisto libellula). Using concentration data reported for 15 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 27 pesticides in the food and blubber of harp seals from the Barents Sea, the model was used to determine biomagnification factors and metabolic half-lives as well as rates of contaminant uptake and loss processes in seals, including a discussion of uncertainty in biomagnification factors and half-lives. Examination of the model output shows considerable, but highly variable, biomagnification attributable to differences in metabolic rates. It is suggested that two biomagnification factors can be defined and should be used in such assessments, one based on concentration ratios and the other on fugacity ratios or lipid-normalized concentrations. A maximum biomagnification factor specific to the seal is deduced using biomagnification data for the most persistent substances, and from this, metabolic half-lives are estimated for all substances. The approach can be applied to other biomagnification situations, thus quantifying metabolic half-lives as a function of the properties of the bioaccumulating substance and ultimately its molecular structure and the physiological characteristics of the consuming animal.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

The harp seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus (Erxleben, 1777). XVII. Structure and metabolic adaption of the caval sphincter muscle with some observations on the diaphragm.

Three types of fibre, dark (type 1), light (type 2) and intermediate, were distinguished in the caval sphincter muscle of the diaphragm in the harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) using histochemical and electron-microscopic techniques. The dark fibre contained large peripheral aggregations of mitochondria, numerous lipid droplets and dense aggregates of glycogen granules. The same features were observed in the dark fibre of the diaphragm muscle too. In the light of the low oxidative enzyme activity and high lipase activity observed in the diaphragm and other skeletal muscles of the harp seal in previous studies, it is postulated that these mitochondrial aggregations and lipid droplets represent an adaptation for the generation of heat through non-shivering thermogenesis comparable to that in the brown adipose tissue. Such ability to generate and maintain heat by uncoupling the oxidative phosphorylation process should enable the caval sphincter muscle to function efficiently in regulating the cardiac return of blood from the inferior vena cava during a dive when the body temperature as a whole drops. The lack of the regional differences in the fibre composition of the harp seal diaphragm, as were reported in the rat diaphragm, is attributed to the seal's large body size, lower metabolic rate and diving habit.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Observations on the infectivity of parasitic third-stage larvae of Uncinaria lucasi Stiles 1901 (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae) of Northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus Linn., on St. Paul Island, Alaska.

Twelve fur seal pups, which had not nursed their mothers, were used in an infectivity experiment. Pups were exposed to parasitic 3rd-stage larvae of Uncinaria lucasi from belly tissues of fur seal bulls, bachelors, and pregnant cows, to determine maturation capability of the larvae. Hookworms were not recovered from the intestines of 3 pups receiving larvae from belly blubber of bulls, 6 pups receiving larvae from belly blubber of bachelors, and 1 nonexposed pup. Maturation of hookworms did occur in 2 pups exposed to larvae from a mixture of belly blubber, mammary tissue, and milk of pregnant cows. Parasitic 3rd-stage hookworm larvae from belly tissues of pregnant and "non-pregnant" fur seal cows averaged 938.1 and 802.1 micron long, and 34.1 and 31.5 micron wide, respectively; however, larvae from belly tissues of a fur seal bull, bachelors, 2-year-old males, male and female yearlings and pups, and Steller Sea Lion subadults averaged 640.5-732.0 micron long and 20.9-24.9 micron wide.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed2005

Handling intensity and the short- and long-term survival of elephant seals: addressing and quantifying research effects on wild animals.

This study addresses the consequences of repeated human handling on the survival of an endangered phocid, the southern elephant seal and the implications for wildlife research. Southern elephant seal pups were repeatedly handled during the first six weeks of their lives. The possibility that such anthropogenic research may have altered the very parameters that were being investigated is a topical and relevant study area that we address here. Our results show that there were no measurable effects on pups that were repeatedly handled and subjected to invasive research methods with respect to survivorship in the short term (the 24-day nursing period) nor in the long term (the first year of life and beyond) and hence fitness one year after handling. In support of this conclusion we were unable to detect any significant differences in the survival rates of the most intensively handled seals and the least intensively handled seals.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Preparation and use of monoclonal antibodies against seal alkaline phosphatase].

Monoclonal antibodies (termed as APP.1 and related to subclass IgG1) against seal alkaline phosphatase, have been obtained. APP.1 did not influence the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase. The dissociation constant for the APP.1 interaction with Greenland seal alkaline phosphatase was equal to 8.5 x 10(-10) M. It was found that APP.1 interact with intestinal isoenzymes of common and fur seal, calf and deer alkaline phosphatases. An APP.1 complex with seal alkaline phosphatase was obtained and successfully applied in immunoenzymatic analysis. The use of this complex made it possible to diminish the limit of detectability of antibodies against peptide fragments of HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteins. Moreover, this complex allowed the identification of cytokeratin-8 and vimentin in human kidney slices and embryonic fibroblast-like cells, respectively.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1991

The seal death in Danish waters 1988. 2. Virological studies.

Mass abortions and high mortality were observed in harbour seals in Danish waters during 1988. Severe pneumonia and emphysema were typical clinical and post-mortem findings. Virological studies were carried out to identify the cause of the epidemic. Although seal herpesvirus (SeHV) was isolated in 23 of 114 animals this virus was subsequently found not to be the primary cause of the disease. Following the observation of seroconversion against canine distemper virus (CDV) in diseased seals (Osterhaus & Vedder 1988) a CDV-like morbillivirus (phocine distemper virus, PDV) was identified in organs of diseased animals. It is concluded that the epidemic was caused by introduction of PDV into a highly susceptible population presumably free from morbillivirus infection. The origin of PDV remains unknown but evidence of prior morbillivirus infection has been found in arctic and antarctic seal populations.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The isolation of the morbilli virus from the Baikal seal Phoca sibirica and its preliminary characterization].

A morbillivirus was isolated from the organs of a seal (Phoca sibirica) which had died during 1987-1988 epizootic in Baikal. This Baikal seal morbillivirus (BSM) was adapted to Vero cell cultures in which it induced a cytopathic effect developing to complete destruction of the monolayer. Typing of BSM was done by indirect immunofluorescence test and enzyme immunoassay using antibodies to distemper and measles viruses. A method for virus concentration and purification was developed. According to electron microscopic examinations, the virus virions were spherical particles of heterogeneous sizes over 100 nm in diameter. The clinical picture of seal infection, pathological anatomy and histopathology are described. A possible role of BSM in the epizootics of Baikal seals is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[PCB methyl sulphone: comparison of tissue levels in Baltic grey seals and a Yusho patient].

Methyl sulphone metabolites of PCB and DDE were isolated from different tissues of a Baltic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Main components in the seal blubber were identified as 3-MeSO2-2,2',4',5,5'-pentaCB, 4-MeSO2-2,2',4',5,5'-pentaCB, 3-MeSO2-p,p'-DDE, 4-MeSO2-2,2',3',4',5-pentaCB and 4-MeSO2-2,2',3,4',5',6-hexaCB. Liver and lung in the seal contained different MeSO2-PCB pattern compared to all other tissues. These levels in the both tissues were estimated to be 28 and 15 ppm (lipid basis) which corresponded to the same level as the PCB. Concentrations of MeSO2-PCB in any tissues of a Yusho patient were low compared to those in the seal.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rearing and rehabilitation of common seal pups (Phoca vitulina).

Veterinary surgeons may be presented with seal pups that require rearing and rehabilitation. This paper describes the feeding, weight gains and clinical care of 22 harbour or common seal pups (Phoca vitulina) that were reared and rehabilitated at the RSPCA Seal Assessment Unit in Norfolk during 1989. Eighteen of the seals survived and were released but four died. On arrival the pups' mean (+/- sd) bodyweight was 9.2 +/- 2.1 kg; those which survived stayed an average of 14.2 +/- 2.3 weeks before they were released at an average weight of 35.5 +/- 3.5 kg.

Abscess↗
PubMed1987

[Various properties of angiotensin-converting enzyme from the seal Phoca groenlandica].

It was found that the molecular mass of the angiotensin-converting enzyme from seal (Phoca groenlandica) lungs determined by electrophoresis in 7.5% PAAG in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate is 150 kD. The enzyme has a pH optimum with respect to hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine at 7.3--7.5; KM is 1.2 mM. The enzyme is inhibited by the substrate to form a nonproductive ES2 complex with the dissociation constant (Ks') of 4.8 mM. The activation of the seal angiotensin-converting enzyme in the presence of NaCl was studied. The bradykinin-potentiating factor (SQ 20881) inhibits the seal enzyme with a high efficiency (IC50 = 2.5.10(-8) M). Monoclonal antibodies to the angiotensin-converting enzyme from human lungs do not interact with its seal lung counterpart, which points to the species specificity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1985

Ocular anterior segment disease in northern fur seals.

Eyes of 1,716 wild northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus; 1,501 subadults and 215 adults) were examined for the prevalence of ocular anterior segment disease; 4.6% of the seals had clinically recognizable eye lesions. Six seals had bilateral eye lesions. Corneal scars were the most frequently observed lesion, followed by prominent lens sutures, cataracts, and iris depigmentations. Corneal edema, active corneal ulceration, or inflammation was not observed. Examination of normal corneas indicated an epithelial structure similar to that of the California sea lion, with 11 to 14 layers of nucleated superficial stratified squamous cells that lacked keratohyaline granules. The seal corneal endothelium had less hexagonality than do human corneal endothelial cells, with mean endothelial cell areas of 331 to 396 micron2, similar to that found in primates.

Animal Population Groups↗
PubMed1981

Tissue sources and clinical application of four enzymes in phocid seals.

Tissue distribution and plasma activity values of creatine kinase (CK), aldolase (ALS), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) were determined in 6 ringed seals, Phoca hispida, and in 7 harp seals, P groenlandica. Muscle tissues had the highest activity of CK and ALS, though high activity of ALS was also in most other tissues. The LAP and GGT were mostly concentrated in the kidneys; tissue LAP activity was generally low. Reference plasma values were determined in 17 ringed and 15 harp seals. The CK and GGT, respectively, are recommended for monitoring exertional stress and hepatobiliary dysfunction in phocid seals.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sleep of Caspian seals].

ECoG both hemispheres, EOG, neck EMG, ECG and electrical activity of olfactory bulbs were recorded in 4 free moving adult Caspean seals of both sexes. Their sleep on land and in water was compared. The wakefulness occupied 85,5 +/- 1,5% of total recording time, the slow wave sleep--12,8 +/- 1,4% and paradoxical sleep--1,7 +/- 0,2%. Unlike the dolphins, the Caspean seals possess no unihemispheric slow wave sleep. When the seals sleep on the land or on the water surface and do not change their posture for breathing they may breathe without awakening like the terrestrial mammals. But when the seals emerge or change their posture to get nostrils above the water they wake up briefly for respiration period.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Delayed implantation in the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) and other pinnipeds.

Delayed implantation is an obligate part of the reproductive cycle of many (possibly all) pinniped species, the duration of delay ranging from 2 to 4 months depending on the length of gestation. Blastocyst reactivation and implantation in the northern fur seal occur during decreasing photoperiods, and are preceded by increase in the circulating concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone. However, neither experimental shortening of photoperiod, nor injections of oestradiol-17 beta or progesterone (or both) induced reactivation. Furthermore, these treatments had no effect on the composition or quantity of proteins in uterine flushings, examined by gel filtration (though changes are associated with spontaneous implantation). All treatments involving capture and caging of seals caused an increase in blastocyst mitotic activity (though not expansion), and it is suggested that this represents a response to stress. Experiments in which fur seal or rabbit blastocysts were cultured in vitro failed to identify a growth promoting substance whose absence from uterine fluid may account for the dormancy of blastocysts during diapause; however, these experiments did demonstrate the presence of an inhibitor or rabbit blastocyst growth in fur seal serum. It is suggested that an unidentified compound regulated by the ovary is involved in stimulating the increased uterine proliferation and secretion which are necessary for blastocyst reactivation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of chlorobiphenyls in seal blubber, marine sediment, and fish: interlaboratory study.

Between 1988 and 1994, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and the Oslo and Paris Commissions organized a stepwise interlaboratory study for determination of chlorobiphenyls (CBs) in marine media. The final parts of this study, in which 53 laboratories from 14 countries participated, focused on long-term precision, cleanup, and extraction. Calibration was controlled continuously by analysis of 10 CBs in an unknown solution. Participants were requested to analyze 3 CBs in a certified reference material fish oil (6 times); 10 CBs in cleaned and uncleaned marine sediment and seal blubber extracts; and 10 CBs in seal blubber oil, dried marine sediment, and wet, lean fish muscle tissue. The long-term precision study showed that, compared with earlier exercises in which only duplicate analyses were required, repeatability increased about 1.5-fold compared with reproducibility. The mean standard error for reproducibility of determination of 10 CBs in standard solutions improved from 1.22 to 1.15. The standard error improved from 1.36 to 1.25 (without CBs 28 and 31) for seal blubber oil and from 1.36 to 1.22 for dried marine sediment. In seal blubber oil and dried marine sediment, the major CBs 118, 138, 153, and 180 can now be determined by the group of participating laboratories with a reproducibility of 1.5 (about 50%). No significant differences were found between results for cleaned-up and uncleaned extracts. No acceptable results could be obtained for determination of CBs in lean fish muscle tissue. Biplots of principal component analyses are extremely helpful in evaluating the data generated by this type of study.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1977

[Biochemical polymorphism in the northern fur seal, Callorhinus usinus, from 3 regions of the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean].

Polymorphism for the number of the blood proteins (transferrin, alkaline phosphatase, haptoglobin, plasma esterase and erythrocyte esterase) have been exposed by means of starch gel electrophoresis of northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus from three regions: Pelagic of Commander Islands (n = 164), Rockery of Robben Island (Sakhalin population, n = 308), winter todder region to the east of Honshu Island (n = 110). The reliable differences have been exposed between fur seals of the Commander and Sakhalin populations by the gene frequencies Tf and Es pl. Fur seals from winter todder region turned out to be closer to Commander population, that to the Robben one. However, originality of gene frequencies of locus Ap (alkaline phosphatase), revealed from the todder region animals, is difficult to explain by the mixture of the Commander and Robben population only. Perhaps, this originality is caused by the influence of Pribylov population. It is established that hemoglobin of northern fur seal consists of two components (Hb I + Hb II). Individual variability of hemoglobin results in the variation of the colour intensity of the "slow" component (Hb II).

Alkaline Phosphatase↗