Dive, food, and exercise effects on blood microparticles in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus): exploring a biomarker for decompression sickness
Abstract
Recent studies of stranded marine mammals indicate that exposure to underwater military sonar may induce pathophysiological responses consistent with decompression sickness (DCS). However, DCS has been difficult to diagnose in marine mammals. We investigated whether blood microparticles (MPs, measured as number/μl plasma), which increase in response to decompression stress in terrestrial mammals, are a suitable biomarker for DCS in marine mammals. We obtained blood samples from trained Steller sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus, 4 adult females) wearing time-depth recorders that dove to predetermined depths (either 5 or 50 meters). We hypothesized that MPs would be positively related to decompression stress (depth and duration underwater). We also tested the effect of feeding and exercise in isolation on MPs using the same blood sampling protocol. We found that feeding and exercise had no effect on blood MP levels, but that diving caused MPs to increase. However, blood MP levels did not correlate with diving depth, relative time underwater, and presumed decompression stress, possibly indicating acclimation following repeated exposure to depth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1152/ajpregu.00512.2015
Entities
People
- Andreas Fahlman
- Andrew W. Trites
- David A. S. Rosen
- Martin Haulena
- Michael J Moore
- Ming Yang
- Nigel Waller
- Stephen R. Thom
- Troy Neale
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- University of British Columbia
- University of Maryland
- Vancouver Aquarium
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution