Information on health parameters, such as antibody prevalences and serum chemistry that can reveal exposure to pathogens, disease, and abnormal physiologic conditions, is scarce for Antarctic seal species. Serum samples from Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella, n=88) from Bouvetøya (2000–2001 and 2001–2002), and from Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii, n=20), Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii, n=20), and crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus, n=9) from the pack-ice off Queen Maud Land, Antarctica (2001) were analyzed for enzyme activity, and concentrations of protein, metabolites, minerals, and cortisol. Adult Antarctic fur seal males had elevated levels of total protein (range 64–99g/l) compared to adult females and pups (range 52–79 g/l). Antarctic fur seals had higher enzyme activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and amylase, compared to Weddell, Ross, and crabeater seals. Antibodies against Brucella spp. were detected in Weddell seals (37%), Ross seals (5%), and crabeater seals (11%), but not in Antarctic fur seals. Antibodies against phocine herpesvirus 1 were detected in all species examined (Antarctic fur seals, 58%; Weddell seals, 100%; Ross seals, 15%; and crabeater seals, 44%). No antibodies against Trichinella spp., Toxoplasma, or phocine distemper virus (PDV) were detected (Antarctic fur seals were not tested for PDV antibodies). Antarctic seals are challenged by reduced sea ice and increasing temperatures due to climate change, and increased anthropogenic activity can introduce new pathogens to these vulnerable ecosystems and represent a threat for these animals. Our data provide a baseline for future monitoring of health parameters of these Antarctic seal species, for tracking the impact of environmental, climatic, and anthropogenic changes in Antarctica over time.
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Epidemiology|
July 01 2012
SERUM CHEMISTRY AND ANTIBODIES AGAINST PATHOGENS IN ANTARCTIC FUR SEALS, WEDDELL SEALS, CRABEATER SEALS, AND ROSS SEALS
Morten Tryland;
Morten Tryland
8
1 Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Stakkevollveien 23, N-9010 Tromsø, Norway
8 Corresponding author (email: [email protected])
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Ingebjørg H. Nymo;
Ingebjørg H. Nymo
1 Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Stakkevollveien 23, N-9010 Tromsø, Norway
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Ole Nielsen;
Ole Nielsen
2 Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Central and Arctic Region, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Erling S. Nordøy;
Erling S. Nordøy
3 Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, BFE, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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Kit M. Kovacs;
Kit M. Kovacs
4 Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
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Bjørn A. Krafft;
Bjørn A. Krafft
4 Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
7 Current address: Institute of Marine Research, N-5817 Bergen, Norway
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Stein I. Thoresen;
Stein I. Thoresen
5 Central Laboratory, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, N-0033 Oslo, Norway
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Kjetil Åsbakk;
Kjetil Åsbakk
1 Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Stakkevollveien 23, N-9010 Tromsø, Norway
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Klaus Osterrieder;
Klaus Osterrieder
6 Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Swaantje J. Roth;
Swaantje J. Roth
6 Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Christian Lydersen;
Christian Lydersen
4 Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
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Jacques Godfroid;
Jacques Godfroid
1 Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Stakkevollveien 23, N-9010 Tromsø, Norway
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Arnoldus S. Blix
Arnoldus S. Blix
3 Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, BFE, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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J Wildl Dis (2012) 48 (3): 632–645.
Article history
Received:
June 03 2011
Accepted:
January 14 2012
Citation
Morten Tryland, Ingebjørg H. Nymo, Ole Nielsen, Erling S. Nordøy, Kit M. Kovacs, Bjørn A. Krafft, Stein I. Thoresen, Kjetil Åsbakk, Klaus Osterrieder, Swaantje J. Roth, Christian Lydersen, Jacques Godfroid, Arnoldus S. Blix; SERUM CHEMISTRY AND ANTIBODIES AGAINST PATHOGENS IN ANTARCTIC FUR SEALS, WEDDELL SEALS, CRABEATER SEALS, AND ROSS SEALS. J Wildl Dis 1 July 2012; 48 (3): 632–645. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-48.3.632
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