ABSTRACT
Isotopic values of two Caribbean sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon porosus litters (Poey, 1861) with two and three embryos and one litter of 11 smalltail shark Carcharhinus porosus embryos showed enriched 15 N and 13 C compared to their mothers. In R. porosus, embryonic isotope values were 3.06 ± 0.07 and 0.69 ± 0.15 greater than their mothers' for δ15 N and δ13 C, respectively, whereas in C. porosus, δ15 N and δ13 C were 1.79 ± 0.09 and 1.31 ± 0.17 greater in embryos than their mothers.
Subject(s)
Carbon Isotopes/analysis , Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism , Nitrogen Isotopes/analysis , Sharks/embryology , Animals , Caribbean Region , Embryo, Nonmammalian/chemistry , Sharks/metabolismABSTRACT
Trace element concentrations and oxidative stress indicators were measured in the liver and kidney samples of 35 blue sharks caught by local artisan fisheries on the west coast of Baja California Sur (Mexico). Differences between sex and maturity cohorts, and the interactions of trace elements with oxidative stress indicators were assessed. Significant differences were found in trace element (Hg, As, Zn, Cd, Pb) concentrations and oxidative stress indicators (catalase (CAT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, lipid peroxidation, TBARS levels) between tissues. Significant sex differences (femalesSubject(s)
Copper/isolation & purification
, Oxidative Stress
, Trace Elements/isolation & purification
, Zinc/isolation & purification
, Animals
, Catalase/metabolism
, Copper/toxicity
, Female
, Kidney/drug effects
, Kidney/enzymology
, Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects
, Liver/drug effects
, Liver/enzymology
, Male
, Sharks/metabolism
, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances/metabolism
, Trace Elements/toxicity
, Zinc/toxicity
ABSTRACT
Trace element concentrations and oxidative stress indicators (including production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative damage) were measured in muscle of blue sharks collected along the west coast of Baja California Sur to determine potential differences by sex and maturity cohorts. Mercury (Hg) concentration in muscle samples from larger sharks (>200 cm LT) exceeded the permissible limit (>1 ppm wet weight) for human consumption set by numerous international agencies. Significant differences were found in Hg concentrations (mature>immature; males>females), and in protein carbonyl concentrations (male>female); however, except for carbonyl protein levels, no significant differences by sex or maturity stage were found in the oxidative stress indicators. Differences between sexes and maturity stages in trace element concentration and carbonyl protein levels in blue shark muscle may be related to variations in diet within different cohorts.
