Mercury and cortisol in Western Hudson Bay polar bear hair

摘要: Non-invasive methods of assessing animal health and life history are becoming increasingly popular in wildlife research; hair samples from polar bears (Ursus maritimus), being used to study an ever broader range anthropogenic endocrine compounds. A number contaminants known disrupt function bears. However, the relationship between mercury cortisol remains unknown, although is disruptor other species. Here, we examine concentrations total (THg) analyzed guard 378 (184 females, 194 males) sampled Western Hudson Bay, 2004-2012. The difference mean concentration female (0.8 ± 0.6 pg/mg) male (0.7 0.5 bordered on significance (p = 0.054). was significantly greater 0.009) females (4.7 1.4 μg/g) than males (4.3 1.2 μg/g). Hair influenced by mercury, age, fatness, as well interactions year, year fatness (all: p < 0.03) (multiple regression analysis, whole model: r(2) 0.14, F(7,185) 4.43, 0.0001). Fatness only significant variable multiple analysis for (r(2) 0.06, F(1,182) 13.0, 0.0004). In conclusion, a significant, but complex, found male, not female,