Molecular Indicators of Physiological Stress and Its Health Effects in Cetaceans
Abstract
Marine mammals exposed to anthropogenic disturbance, such as intense sounds produced by human activity, may experience behavioral and physiological stress responses with potential adverse effects on individual and population health (NRC, 2017). Investigating the mechanisms by which stress impacts vital rates has been identified as a key research need for implementation of PCoD/PCoMS models that evaluate the potential for population impacts of disturbance on marine mammal species (NRC, 2017). Our previous work in pinnipedshas shown that expression of stress-responsive genes in blubber, including metabolic enzymes and markers of adiposity, is predictive of stress hormone levels, survival, and reproductive success. However, information on such gene markers in cetaceans is currently lacking. The objectives of this proposal are to leverage ongoing blubber sampling efforts and a bank of existing samples collected from free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to (1) identify biologically relevant gene markers of stress via transcriptomics and (2) validate these markers in animals with acute and chronic levels of exposure to anthropogenic noise. Additionally, broad applicability of identified gene markers will be tested by (3) measuring them in closely related species (Delphinus spp.) and across two different laboratories. Gene expression levels will be integrated with blubber cortisol measurements and available body condition, behavioral, and reproductive success data to generate a panel of cetacean-specific gene markers are indicative of stress and stress consequences on metabolic, immune, and reproductive functions that influence vital rates and population dynamics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312444
Entities
People
- Jane Khudyakov
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of the Pacific