Organochlorine contaminants and reproductive implication in cetaceans: a case study of the common dolphin

Sinead Murphy, Robin J Law, Rob Deaville, James Barnett, Matthew W Perkins, A Brownlow, Rod Penrose, NJ Davison, Jonathan L Barber, Paul D Jepson

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    38 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Organochlorines, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), are persistent organic pollutants that both bioaccumulate and biomagnify within marine food webs. These legacy pollutants are known endocrine disruptors and have been reported to have adverse effects on endocrine, reproductive, and immune functions in humans, laboratory animals, and wildlife. This chapter will review evidence of pollutant-mediated effects on the reproductive system in cetaceans from exposure to PCBs and DDT. In addition, an assessment of reproductive failure and reproductive dysfunction was undertaken on stranded and bycaught female common dolphins from the Northeast Atlantic, and their association with exposure to PCBs was investigated. Within the sample, 16.8% (18 out of 107) of females presented with reproductive system pathologies that were associated with higher blubber ΣPCB lw concentrations, above the threshold for the onset of adverse health effects in marine mammals. Cases of reproductive failure were also reported that may be linked to exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The continued exposure to legacy pollutants, and new emerging pollutants, raises concerns about the current and future population-level pollutant effects on Northeast Atlantic common dolphins.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationMarine Mammal Ecotoxicology
    Subtitle of host publicationImpacts of Multiple Stressors on Population Health
    EditorsMaria C Fossi, Cristina Panti
    PublisherAcademic Press
    Chapter1
    Pages3-38
    ISBN (Print)978-0-12-812144-3
    Publication statusFirst published - Aug 2018

    Keywords

    • DDT
    • Delphinus delphis
    • Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
    • Neoplasm
    • PCB
    • Reproductive disorders
    • Reproductive failure

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Organochlorine contaminants and reproductive implication in cetaceans: a case study of the common dolphin'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this