Toxic elements and associations with hematology, plasma biochemistry, and protein electrophoresis in nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from Casey Key, Florida. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perrault, Justin R.; Stacy, Nicole I.; Lehner, Andreas F.; Poor, Savannah K.; Buchweitz, John P.; Walsh, Catherine J.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 231:Part 2(2017)
• Page Start: 1398
• Page End: 1411
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Electrophoresis -- Heavy metal -- Keratin -- Inorganic contaminant -- Marine turtle -- Toxicology; α alpha -- A:G albumin:globulin ratio -- ALKP alkaline phosphatase -- ALT alanine aminotransferase -- AST aspartate aminotransferase -- AU absorbance unit -- β beta -- BDL below detection limits -- BUN blood urea nitrogen -- CBC complete blood count -- CPK creatine phosphokinase -- CV coefficient of variation -- CV-AAS cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry -- DBS dried blood spots -- DCF dichlorodihydrofluorescein -- dw dry weight -- ED50 effective dose to produce a 50% response -- γ gamma -- GGT gamma-glutamyl transferase -- HEL hen egg white lysozyme -- ICP-MS inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry -- IgG immunoglobulin G -- LDH lactate dehydrogenase -- LoD limit(s) of detection -- NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology -- NOEC no observed effect level -- PCV packed cell volume -- PIT passive integrated transponder -- QC quality control -- ROS reactive oxygen species -- RNS reactive nitrogen species -- rpm revolutions per minute -- SCLmin minimum straight carapace length -- SOD superoxide dismutase -- SRM standard reference material -- UMAW University of Miami Avian and Wildlife Laboratory -- URTD upper respiratory tract disease -- WB whole blood -- WBC white blood cells -- ww wet weight; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.09.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, thallium) are a group of contaminants that are known to elicit developmental, reproductive, general health, and immune system effects in reptiles, even at low concentrations. Reptiles, including marine turtles, are susceptible to accumulation of toxic elements due to their long life span, low metabolic rate, and highly efficient conversion of prey into biomass. The objectives of this study were to (1) document concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, and thallium in whole blood and keratin from nesting loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta ) from Casey Key, Florida and document correlations thereof and (2) correlate whole blood toxic element concentrations to various hematological and plasma biochemistry analytes. Baselines for various hematological and plasma analytes and toxic elements in whole blood and keratin ( i.e., scute) in nesting loggerheads are documented. Various correlations between the toxic elements and hematological and plasma biochemistry analytes were identified; however, the most intriguing were negative correlations between arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium with and α- and γ-globulins. Although various extrinsic and intrinsic variables such as dietary and feeding changes in nesting loggerheads need to be considered, this finding may suggest a link to altered humoral immunity. This study documents a suite of health variables of nesting loggerheads in correlation to contaminants and identifies the potential of toxic elements to impact the overall health of nesting turtles, thus presenting important implications for the conservation and management of this species. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Blood and keratin As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Se, and Tl concentrations were documented in nesting loggerheads. Baseline indices of health, immune function, and oxidative stress were documented. A number of relationships between toxic elements and hematological and plasma biochemistry analytes were noted. Relationships were suggestive of possible altered humoral immune response. Loggerheads have decreased selenium:mercury ratios in comparison to other marine turtles. Abstract : Toxic elements in nesting loggerhead sea turtles were negatively correlated with α- and γ-globulins, potentially suggesting an altered humoral immune response as a result of exposure to these contaminants.