Evaluating the Effects of Stressors on Immune Function during Simulated Dives in Marine Mammals.

摘要

The major goals of this study were to 1) gain understanding of marine mammal immunology and dive adaptation of the immune system by investigating the response of marine mammal immune cells to simulated dives and 2) to evaluate the potential for additional stressors to alter the response of marine mammal immune cells to simulated dives, providing information which may aid future efforts to assess the impacts of anthropogenic activities on marine mammal health. The specific objectives of this effort were to: 1) investigate the effects of simulated dive exposures on cellular immune function in belugas 2) evaluate the effects of simulated dive exposures on cellular immune function in belugas following a known stressor event 3) To collect biological samples from wild belugas to compare with aquarium animals and 4) compare the effects of simulated dive exposures on cellular immune function in seals between stranding (stressor) and release (healthy).