Browsing by Subject "Cetacean"

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    Protein identification of spermatozoa and seminal plasma in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
    (2021-07-16) Fuentes-Albero, Mari Carmen; González-Brusi, Leopoldo; Luongo, Chiara; Abril-Sánchez, Silvia; Ros-Santaella, José Luis; Pintus, Eliana; Ruiz-Díaz, Sara; Barros-García, Carlos; Sánchez-Calabuig, María Jesús; García-Párraga, Daniel; García-Vázquez, Francisco Alberto; Cots Rodríguez, Paula; Izquierdo Rico, María José; Avilés Sánchez, Manuel; Biología Celular e Histología
    Proteins play an important role in many reproductive functions such as sperm maturation, sperm transit in the female genital tract or sperm-oocyte interaction. However, in general, little information concerning reproductive features is available in the case of aquatic animals. The present study aims to characterize the proteome of both spermatozoa and seminal plasma of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as a model organism for cetaceans. Ejaculate samples were obtained from two trained dolphins housed in an aquarium. Spermatozoa and seminal plasma were analyzed by means of proteomic analyses using an LC-MS/MS, and a list with the gene symbols corresponding to each protein was submitted to the DAVID database. Of the 419 proteins identified in spermatozoa and 303 in seminal plasma, 111 proteins were shared by both. Furthermore, 70 proteins were identified as involved in reproductive processes, 39 in spermatozoa, and 31 in seminal plasma. The five most abundant proteins were also identified in these samples: AKAP3, ODF2, TUBB, GSTM3, ROPN1 for spermatozoa and CST11, LTF, ALB, HSP90B1, PIGR for seminal plasma. In conclusion, this study provides the first characterization of the proteome in cetacean sperm and seminal plasma, opening the way to future research into new biomarkers, the analysis of conservation capacity or possible additional applications in the field of assisted reproductive technologies.
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    Trace metals in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Murcia coastline, Mediterranean Sea, during the period 2009-2015.
    (Elsevier, 2019-08) Martínez-López, Emma; Peñalver, J.; Escriña, A.; Lara, L.; Gens, M.J.; María Dolores, Emilio; Alcaraz, A.; García Fernández, Antonio Juan; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
    Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and arsenic (As) concentrations in internal tissues of 72 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Murcia Region (Mediterranean coastline) have been investigated for the first time. Hg showed the highest concentration, followed by Se, Cd, As and Pb. In general, the levels of metal found in this study were similar to those described in similar studies in the Mediterranean Sea. However, in some adult specimens, Hg liver concentrations were related with toxic effects in cetacean. A significant correlation was observed with age, likewise between Se and Hg and Cd in tissues, which agree with detoxify effect attributed to Se through inert complex formation. Molar ratio Hg:Se in liver was close to 1:1 in some specimens, which would indicate overload of the Hg-Se detoxify function and compromised health. These results could contribute to a better knowledge of the distribution of these persistent pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea