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At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Viral serologic survey of bowhead whales in Alaska.

Serum samples from 21 of 36 Eskimo harvested bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) were positive by virus neutralization (50% endpoint titer > or = 1:28 and/or 100% endpoint titer > or = 1:20) for antibodies to at least one virus serotype from the calicivirus family, vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV) and San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV). Many animals were positive to more than one serotype when using the Spearman-Karber (S-K) method for calculating antibody titers. The most common serotype detected was VESV F55 with 6 of 36 (17%) by the Monto and Bryan (MB) titer calculation method, and 17 of 36 (47%) by the S-K titer calculation method. Vesicular exanthema of swine virus 1934B antibody was detected in 3 of 36 (8%) and 5 of 36 (14%) whales using the MB and S-K methods, respectively. Vesicular exanthema of swine virus J56 antibody was detected in 3 of 36 (8%) by the S-K method only. All whales < 8.5 m (estimated yearlings, n = 6) were seronegative for VESV J56 and 1934B while 10% and 17% of the whales > 8.5 m were positive, respectively. Whales assumed to be sexually mature (> 13 m) had a higher prevalence of antibody to VESV 1934B and SMSV 8 than those < 13 m. Gender had an effect on seroprevalence of antibody to VESV 1934B as titers > or = 1:28 (S-K method) occurred in 18% of the females and 7% of the males. Antibody to other serotypes (SMSV 8 and 12) occurred less frequently (< 6%) at an antibody titer > or = 1:28 by the S-K method. All 36 whale sera were negative for antibody to VESV-A48, B51, C52, D53, E54, G55, H54, I55, and K54; Tillamook calicivirus, and dolphin morbillivirus; and SMSV-1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 13 by the S-K method.

Alaska↗

PubMed1998

Postmortem investigations on winter stranded sperm whales from the coasts of Belgium and The Netherlands.

During winter 1994-95, four and three sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were stranded along the Belgian and the Dutch coasts, respectively. Necropsies and tissue samplings were collected 24 hrs post mortem. Lesions on several whales included round and linear skin scars, ventral skin abrasions, acute skin ulcers, acute ulcerative stomatitides, acute to chronic external otitides, and passive visceral congestion. In addition, these sperm whales appeared to be debilitated with severe weight deficit, had blubber thickness reduction, the absence of abdominal fat, and the intestinal tracts were almost empty. Three categories of lesions and their possible relation with the stranding were evaluated. Cutaneous scars observed on the seven whales appeared to have no relation with the stranding. The poor body condition and acute integument ulcerative lesions were present before the stranding. Ventral skin abrasions and visceral passive congestion were caused by the strandings. Absence of food in the alimentary tracts, evidence of weight loss and blubber thickness reduction were compatible with an extended presence of the sperm whales in the North Sea, where adequate food is not available. This might lead to progressive weakness, predisposing the animals to secondary pathogens such as viral diseases. Finally, the coastal configuration of the southern North Sea makes it a trap for sperm whales which have entered the area during their wanderings.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2001

Molecular cloning and characterization of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are cytokines produced primarily by monocytes and macrophages with regulatory effects in inflammation and multiple aspects of the immune response. As yet, no molecular data have been reported for IL-1beta and TNF-alpha of the beluga whale. In this study, we cloned and determined the entire cDNA sequence encoding beluga whale IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. The genetic relationship of the cytokine sequences was then analyzed with those from several mammalian species, including the human and the pig. The homology of beluga whale IL-1beta nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences with those from these mammalian species ranged from 74.6 to 86.0% and 62.7 to 77.1%, respectively, whereas that of TNF-alpha varied from 79.3 to 90.8% and 75.3 to 87.7%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on deduced amino acid sequences showed that the beluga whale IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were most closely related to those of the ruminant species (cattle, sheep, and deer). The beluga whale IL-1beta- and TNF-alpha-encoding sequences were thereafter successfully expressed in Escherichia coli as fusion proteins by using procaryotic expression vectors. The fusion proteins were used to produce beluga whale IL-1beta- and TNF-alpha-specific rabbit antisera.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

New transient species of sperm whale myoglobin in photodissociation of dioxygen from oxymyoglobin.

We carried out the flash photolysis of oxy complexes of sperm whale myoglobin, cobalt-substituted sperm whale myoglobin, and Aplysia myoglobin. When the optical absorption spectral changes associated with the O2 rebinding were monitored on the nanosecond to millisecond time scale, we found that the transient spectra of the O2 photoproduct of sperm whale myoglobin were significantly different from the static spectra of deoxy form. This was sharply contrasted with the observations that the spectra of the CO photoproduct of sperm whale myoglobin and of the O2 photoproducts of cobalt-substituted sperm whale myoglobin and Aplysia myoglobin are identical to the corresponding spectra of their deoxy forms. These results led us to suggest the presence of a fairly stable transient species in the O2 photodissociation from the oxy complex of sperm whale myoglobin, which has a protein structure different from the deoxy form. We denoted the O2 photo-product to be Mb*. In the time-resolved resonance Raman measurements, the nu Fe-His mode of Mb* gave the same value as that of the deoxy form, indicating that the difference in the optical absorption spectra is possibly due to the structural difference at the heme distal side rather than those of the proximal side. The structure of Mb* is discussed in relation to the dynamic motion of myoglobin in the O2 entry to or exit from the heme pocket. Comparing the structural characteristics of several myoglobins employed, we suggested that the formation of Mb* relates to the following two factors: a hydrogen bonding of O2 with the distal histidine, and the movement of iron upon the ligation of O2.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Morphogenesis and morphology of the brain stem nuclei of Cetacea. II. The nuclei of the accessory, vagal and glossopharyngeal nerves in baleen whales.

The development and final structure of the IXth, Xth and XIth cranial nerve nuclei are studied in ironhematoxylin -, thionin - and protargol -stained serial sections of about 50 baleen whale fetuses (blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus, and fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus ) and one adult fin whale. The nucleus ambiguus is composed of three subdivisions, oral, intermediate and caudal, the last mentioned being contiguous caudally with the dorsal motor Xth nucleus. The oral division develops as three parallel cell columns which merge into a well circumscribed solitary structure with a rostrally expanded "head". It is composed of medium-sized multipolar neurons in a myelin-poor neuropil. In the fin whale a minor group of larger cells is found medial to the "head". In both species a peculiar small-celled nucleus rich in capillaries is found ventral to the "head". The intermediate division initially contains a lateral cell column and a medial region of scattered cells. The lateral column persists throughout life, while the medial field develops into three columns only one of which remains distinct in mature individuals. The cells are larger than in the oral division with the largest cells in the medial column. The two columns are surrounded by a field of scattered neurons which continues without a sharp border into the caudal division which is composed of scattered cells throughout. In its rostral half the cells are of the same multipolar type as in the intermediate division while caudally they appear flattened in the horizontal plane. The dorsal motor Xth nucleus develops as three longitudinal columns. In the fetal brain these are cytologically distinct due to different proportions of small, medium-sized and larger multipolar neurons. The spindle-shaped ventromedial column extends the entire length of the nucleus. It is composed mostly of small to medium-sized cells which caudal to the obex are elongated parallel with the neuroaxis . The dorsolateral and ventrolateral columns are restricted to the middle 1/3 of the nucleus, except in the blue whale where the former extends somewhat more rostrally. They are both characterized by the presence of large multipolar cells, the largest of which are found in the ventrolateral column. In adult specimens the cells are more equally sized and the columnar organization less distinct. The nucleus of the tractus solitarius is of about the same length as the two above mentioned nuclei. Except at the very early stages, the nucleus is ill-defined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Accessory Nerve↗

PubMed1995

Description and analysis of the use of cold harpoons in the Norwegian minke whale hunt in the 1981, 1982 and 1983 hunting seasons.

Until 1984, cold harpoons, i.e. harpoons with no detonating device, were used to hunt minke whales in Norway. To investigate the effectiveness of such harpoons and compare them with alternatives, data on kills using cold harpoons were collected as part of a project dealing with alternative killing techniques for whales. Data on 353 whale kills were collected in 1981-83. The criteria used to determine the time of death were cessation of flipper movement, that the mandible relaxed, or that the whale hung immobile from the harpoon line. These criteria do not take into account any movements caused by spinal reflexes. About 17% of the animals died instantaneously (< or = 10 s). The median survival time was 570 s. Animals died most rapidly if hit in the brain, heart or major blood vessels. If only the lungs were injured, minke whales died less rapidly than terrestrial mammals. For whales that did not die immediately, shooting range, animal size and the angle of the shot all influenced the time to death. The efficiency of cold harpoons could be improved, but their use was no longer considered acceptable, and they were replaced by harpoons with penthrite grenades in 1984.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Isolation of T cell receptor gamma/delta chain constant genes from minke whale.

The polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotides based on consensus sequences from other species allowed us to amplify minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) T cell receptor (TcR) gamma and delta constant genes. Two types of Cgamma clones were obtained which only differ by one mismatch. These minke whale Cgamma clones showed 83% nucleotide and 70% amino acid sequence similarity to the corresponding region of the human TRGC genes. The minke whale Cdelta sequences were all identical, and showed 86% nucleotide and 77.8% amino acid sequence similarity to the human TRDC gene. The whale Cgamma and Cdelta clones were used as probes for Southern blot analysis. The data confirmed that there is a unique Cdelta gene in minke whale. Two different Cgamma genes were detected, one of them also cross-hybridizing with a human Cgamma probe, suggesting that the Cgamma locus in minke whale consists of at least two different constant genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Organochlorine levels in subcutaneous blubber biopsies of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Mediterranean Sea.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT compounds were determined in subcutaneous blubber of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Mediterranean Sea. From 1990 to 1993, 68 fin whale and 89 dolphin blubber biopsies were analysed. The whales were sampled while passing through the Ligurian Sea, whereas the dolphins were collected in different areas of the Mediterranean: the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. Total PCBs and DDTs were 5.5-7.1 ppm and 4.2-9.5 ppm, respectively, in the whales and 15.5-86.0 ppm and 15.6-63.5 ppm, respectively, in the dolphins. Thirty PCB congeners were identified for each sample, IUPAC numbers 153, 138, 187, 180 and 170 being the most abundant, totalling an average of 55% of total PCBs in the whale and 60% in the dolphin. The large differences in accumulation are related to position in the food chain. In striped dolphins significant differences were found in relation to sampling site, and in fin whales in relation to sex.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Measurement of serum immunoglobulin concentration in killer whales and sea otters by radial immunodiffusion.

Killer whales and sea otters maintained in captivity are the subjects of routine health monitoring programs, and interest in immunologic studies in sea otters has been rising recently in response to potential impacts from infectious disease and environmental pollution on the threatened southern sea otter population. Development of species-specific reagents for immunologic studies in these two marine mammals is currently in its infancy. In this study, killer whale and sea otter immunoglobulin-specific polyclonal antibodies were generated, and used to develop tests for serum Ig concentration in the killer whale (Orcinus orca) and the southern (Enhydra lutris nereis) and northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris lutris). Killer whale serum IgG was purified using caprylic acid/ammonium sulfate precipitation. Sea otter plasma IgG was purified using protein-A-agarose. Polyclonal anti-Ig antisera were produced in rabbits, and specificity confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis. Radial immunodiffusion was used to measure Ig concentration in serum or plasma samples derived from 21 captive killer whales, 18 wild and 4 captive southern sea otters and 15 wild and 4 captive northern sea otters grouped by age. Mean killer whale serum Ig concentration (+/-95% confidence interval) ranged from 15.04 +/- 3.97 g/l for animals aged 0-5 years to 26.65 +/- 9.8 g/l for animals aged >10 years. Mean sea otter serum Ig concentration (+/-95% confidence interval) ranged from 28.39 +/- 11.00 g/l for southern sub-adults to 32.76 +/- 11.58 g/l for southern adults. No significant difference in serum Ig concentration was found between southern and northern sea otters. Serum Ig concentrations in two northern sea otter pups were low compared to those of adult sea otters. The two serum Ig quantitation assays produced were highly specific and reproducible and will be useful additions to the limited number of tests available for immune function in these marine mammal species.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Diving behaviour of whale sharks in relation to a predictable food pulse.

We present diving data for four whale sharks in relation to a predictable food pulse (reef fish spawn) and an analysis of the longest continuous fine-resolution diving record for a planktivorous shark. Fine-resolution pressure data from a recovered pop-up archival satellite tag deployed for 206 days on a whale shark were analysed using the fast Fourier Transform method for frequency domain analysis of time-series. The results demonstrated that a free-ranging whale shark displays ultradian, diel and circa-lunar rhythmicity of diving behaviour. Whale sharks dive to over 979.5 m and can tolerate a temperature range of 26.4 degrees C. The whale sharks made primarily diurnal deep dives and remained in relatively shallow waters at night. Whale shark diving patterns are influenced by a seasonally predictable food source, with shallower dives made during fish spawning periods.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Characteristics of whistles from the acoustic repertoire of resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) off Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The acoustic repertoire of killer whales (Orcinus orca) consists of pulsed calls and tonal sounds, called whistles. Although previous studies gave information on whistle parameters, no study has presented a detailed quantitative characterization of whistles from wild killer whales. Thus an interpretation of possible functions of whistles in killer whale underwater communication has been impossible so far. In this study acoustic parameters of whistles from groups of individually known killer whales were measured. Observations in the field indicate that whistles are close-range signals. The majority of whistles (90%) were tones with several harmonics with the main energy concentrated in the fundamental. The remainder were tones with enhanced second or higher harmonics and tones without harmonics. Whistles had an average bandwidth of 4.5 kHz, an average dominant frequency of 8.3 kHz, and an average duration of 1.8 s. The number of frequency modulations per whistle ranged between 0 and 71. The study indicates that whistles in wild killer whales serve a different function than whistles of other delphinids. Their structure makes whistles of killer whales suitable to function as close-range motivational sounds.

Acoustics↗

PubMed1995

Hydrodynamic design of the humpback whale flipper.

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is reported to use its elongate pectoral flippers during swimming maneuvers. The morphology of the flipper from a 9.02-m whale was evaluated with regard to this hydrodynamic function. The flipper had a wing-like, high aspect ratio planform. Rounded tubercles were regularly interspersed along the flipper's leading edge. The flipper was cut into 71 2.5-cm cross-sections and photographed. Except for sections near the distal tip, flipper sections were symmetrical with no camber. Flipper sections had a blunt, rounded leading edge and a highly tapered trailing edge. Placement of the maximum thickness placement for each cross-section varied from 49% of chord at the tip to 19% at mid-span. Section thickness ratio averaged 0.23 with a range of 0.20-0.28. The humpback whale flipper had a cross-sectional design typical of manufactured aerodynamic foils for lift generation. The morphology and placement of leading edge tubercles suggest that they function as enhanced lift devices to control flow over the flipper and maintain lift at high angles of attack. The morphology of the humpback whale flipper suggests that it is adapted for high maneuverability associated with the whale's unique feeding behavior.

Adaptation, Biological↗

PubMed1994

Reproductive transfer and variation of body load of organochlorine pollutants with age in fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus).

The body load of tDDT (p,p'DDT + o,p'DDT + p,p'DDE + p,p'TDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (sum of congeners) was estimated for 169 fin whales to study age and sex-related variation and to calculate the quantity of these compounds transferred to offspring through reproduction. Blubber was the body compartment containing the greatest quantities of organochlorines, but its relative contribution to total load was lower than in other cetaceans because in fin whales muscle and bone are also significant lipid reserve sites. In male fin whales, organochlorine body loads increased with age but tended to reach a plateau in fully grown individuals. In adult females, loads decreased with age because of transfer to offspring cancelling the rise in loads associated with body growth; as a consequence, the amount of organochlorines transferred during a reproductive cycle also declined with age. This transfer is lower than that found for other cetaceans because fin whales have a shorter lactation period. According to the calculations, the first offspring of a female fin whale receives about 1 g of PCB and about 1.5 g of tDDT. These amounts will progressively decrease in subsequent reproductive cycles to reach a minimum of 0.2 g PCB and 0.3 g tDDT in an old female. Therefore, the first calf delivered is the one most likely to be affected by pollutants.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

Limited MHC polymorphism in whales.

Little is known about disease and genetic variation in aquatic mammalian species such as whales. In this paper human HLA class I and class II probes were used to study major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes from two species of whale: Fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and Sei (B. borealis). Stronger signals were obtained on whale than on equivalent concentrations of mouse DNA. Evidence was obtained for several DRB-related genes, a DNA genes, one DQA gene, and multiple class I genes in whales. Interestingly, the whale genes, from the small panel studied, were less polymorphic than those of humans or mice. The aquatic environment of this mammalian species may be a unique factor in shaping its immune response through the MHC.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Beaked whale auditory evoked potential hearing measurements.

Several mass strandings of beaked whales have recently been correlated with military exercises involving mid-frequency sonar highlighting unknowns regarding hearing sensitivity in these species. We report the hearing abilities of a stranded juvenile beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) measured with auditory evoked potentials. The beaked whale's modulation rate transfer function (MRTF) measured with a 40-kHz carrier showed responses up to an 1,800 Hz amplitude modulation (AM) rate. The MRTF was strongest at the 1,000 and 1,200 Hz AM rates. The envelope following response (EFR) input-output functions were non-linear. The beaked whale was most sensitive to high frequency signals between 40 and 80 kHz, but produced smaller evoked potentials to 5 kHz, the lowest frequency tested. The beaked whale hearing range and sensitivity are similar to other odontocetes that have been measured.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1977

Antibodies against protein antigenic sites that are identical in the homologous protein of the immunized animal. Autoreactivity in rabbits of antibodies to sperm-whale myoglobin.

Sequence comparisons between the antigenic sites of sperm-whale myoglobin and the corresponding regions in rabbit myoglobin indicate that rabbits make antibodies to regions of the sperm-whale myoglobin molecule which are identical to the corresponding regions in rabbit myoglobin. Rabbit myoglobin did not precipitate with antisera to sperm-whale myoglobin. However, it exhibited an extensive cross-reaction as demonstrated by its ability to inhibit the precipitin reaction of sperm-whale myoglobin, and on an immunoadsorbent, bound a large amount of antibodies to sperm-whale myoglobin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1979

Complete amino acid sequence of the myoglobin from the Pacific sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis.

The complete amino acid sequence of the major component myoglobin from Pacific sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis, was determined by specific cleavage of the protein to obtain large peptides which are readily degraded by the automatic sequencer. The acetimidated apomyoglobin was selectively cleaved at its two methionyl residues with cyanogen bromide and at its three arginyl residues by trypsin. From the sequence analysis of four of these peptides and the apomyoglobin, over 75% of the covalent structure of the protein was obtained. The remainder of the primary structure was determined by the sequence analysis of peptides that resulted from further digestion of the amino-terminal and central cyanogen bromide fragments. The amino-terminal fragment was specifically cleaved at its two tryptophanyl residues with N-chlorosuccinimide and the central cyanogen bromide fragment was cleaved at its glutamyl residues with staphylococcal protease and at its single tyrosyl residue with N-bromosuccinimide. The primary structure of this myoglobin proved identical with that from the gray whale but differs from that of the finback whale at four positions, from that of the minke whale at three positions and from the myoglobin of the humpback whale at one position. The above sequence identities and differences reflect the close taxonomic relationship of these five species of Cetacea.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1987

The adrenal gland of stranded whales (Kogia breviceps and Mesoplodon europaeus): in vitro modulation of mitochondrial steroid enzyme activities.

The effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cyclic AMP (cAMP), NADPH, Krebs cycle intermediates (KCl), and metyrapone on the two key mitochondrial reactions in the biosynthesis of glucocorticoids--11 beta-hydroxylation and cholesterol cleavage--were studied in preparations from the adrenal glands of stranded whales (Kogia breviceps and Mesoplodon europaeus) and some terrestrial mammals. ACTH (30 pM) and cAMP (1.0 mM) enhanced the 11 beta-hydroxylation of [11-3H]deoxycorticosterone ([3H]DOC) in monolayer cultures of whale adrenal cells during a 4-hr incubation period. Mitochondria from whale and beef adrenals responded in a similar dose-related fashion to NADPH generated by the addition of increasing amounts of NADP (0-0.6 mM) to the in vitro system: at each level of NADPH, 11 beta-hydroxylation of [14C]DOC was several-fold greater than the cleavage of [14C]cholesterol. Metyrapone interfered in a dose-related manner with both the 11 beta-hydroxylation of [14C]DOC and the cleavage of [14C]cholesterol by mitochondria from whale and beef adrenals; inhibition of 11 beta-hydroxylation exceeded 60% at 0.1 mM metyrapone and was virtually complete at 1.0 mM in both species, while inhibition of [14C]cholesterol cleavage averaged 25% at 0.1 mM metyrapone and 50% at 1.0 mM. The effect of exogenous NADPH in supporting the 11 beta-hydroxylation of [14C]DOC could be maintained in beef and rat adrenal mitochondria to the extent of 70-100% by substitution with any of the KCl. This phenomenon was not found in similar whale studies where the KCl were all ineffective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Glands↗