Author/Authors :
R. L. de Swart، نويسنده , , P. S. Ross، نويسنده , , H. H. Timmerman، نويسنده , , W. C. Hijman، نويسنده , , E. M. de Ruiter، نويسنده , , A. K. D. Liem، نويسنده , , A. Brouwer، نويسنده , , H. van Loveren، نويسنده , , P. J. H. Reijnders، نويسنده , , J. G. Vos، نويسنده , , A. D. M. E. Osterhaus، نويسنده ,
Abstract :
Two groups of 11 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) with different body burdens of organochlorines were subjected to an experimental 15-day fasting period, during which they lost an average 16.5% of their body weights. Blood levels of the most persistent organochlorines showed an approximate twofold increase, while levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-binding organochlorines remained largely unaffected. Few differences in immunological parameters were observed between the two dietary groups. Numbers of circulating lymphocytes dropped to about 65% of the initial values and NK cell activity showed a slight increase in both groups. Mitogen- and antigen-induced lymphoproliferative responses of the Baltic group of seals remained within normal ranges. These results suggest that relatively short-term fasting periods do not present an additional immunotoxicological risk to seals with high body burdens of organochlorines.
