Publication Abstract

Adrenocortical hyperplasia, disease and chlorinated hydrocarbons in the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

Adrenocortical hyperplasia, disease and chlorinated hydrocarbons in the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

T. Kuiken, U. Hoefle, M. Bennett, C.R. Allchin, J.K. Kirkwood, J. R. Baker, E.C. Appleby, C.H. Lockyer, M.J. Walton and M.C Sheldrick

We tested the hypothesis that the adrenal cortex in the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is enlarged due to chronic exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons. Postmortem examinations were performed on 28 harbour porpoise carcases found in Great Britain in 1990 and 1991. The levels of HCB, α-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-TDE, dieldrin and 25 individual chlorobiphenyls in the blubber, and the volumes of the right adrenal cortex, medulla and stroma were measured. Although adrenocortical hyperplasia was found, it was not associated with increased levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons. Instead, harbour porpoises that died from a chronic cause of death (N=14) had a significantly higher adrenocortical volume (F_1,23=13.15, P < 0.01), due to hyperplasia, than harbour porpoises that died from an acute cause of death (N=11). Therefore, adrenocortical hyperplasia probably resulted from chronic stressors associated with their cause of death, rather than exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Reference:

T. Kuiken, U. Hoefle, M. Bennett, C.R. Allchin*, J.K. Kirkwood, J. R. Baker, E.C. Appleby, C.H. Lockyer, M.J. Walton and M.C Sheldrick (1993) Adrenocortical hyperplasia, disease and chlorinated hydrocarbons in the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 26(8): 440-446

T. Kuiken, U. Hoefle, M. Bennett, C.R. Allchin*, J.K. Kirkwood, J. R. Baker, E.C. Appleby, C.H. Lockyer, M.J. Walton and M.C Sheldrick

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 26(8): 440-446