Increased blubber cortisol in ice-entrapped beluga whales ( Delphinapterus leucas )

摘要: Entrapments of whales in sea ice occur occasionally the Arctic and often last several weeks or months, resulting emaciation death whales. These events provide a unique opportunity for investigating physiological response to prolonged chronic stress an otherwise healthy population marine mammals. By measuring cortisol blubber, peripheral tissue, we expect see reflection long-term rather than short-term acute stress. Adipose tissue should be less subject rapid changes compared blood cortisol, reflecting stressors experienced over longer period time, not affected by potential associated with sampling. We measured blubber 29 beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) entrapped November 2006 Husky Lakes basin 26 from same (Eastern Beaufort Sea) during regular seasonal harvests July 2007. Mean concentrations (±SEM) were seven times higher (1.76 ± 0.32 ng/g wet weight) (0.26 ± 0.042 ng/g appeared increase whale age. Our results measure demonstrate as useful indicator longer-term exposure