Transfer of PBDEs and chlorinated POPs from mother to pup during lactation in harp seals Phoca groenlandica. - RIIP - Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur Access content directly
Journal Articles Science of the Total Environment Year : 2012

Transfer of PBDEs and chlorinated POPs from mother to pup during lactation in harp seals Phoca groenlandica.

Abstract

Seven mother-pup pairs of harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) were sampled during the lactation season near Magdalen Islands, QC, Canada. The blubber and serum of pups and mothers as well as the milk of mothers were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers and several chlorinated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to evaluate their transfer prior to weaning. Principal component analysis demonstrated significant variations in contaminant distribution patterns between seal tissues of mothers and pups. The selectivity in the transfer of POPs between mothers and pups appeared mainly driven by their log K(ow) (octanol/water partition coefficient). The most selective transfer step for the POPs examined occurred between the blubber and the serum of the mother. A novel approach to examine temporal changes of POP concentrations in tissues of seals which take into account the contamination of mothers was developed. A general decrease of POP concentrations in pup tissues throughout lactation may suggest a growth dilution. A concomitant rise of POP concentrations was observed in maternal blubber and serum and in milk as lactation progresses. The intensive offloading of contaminants via lactation constitutes a major but selective excretory route for reproductive female seals and also a significant route of exposure for suckling pup seals.

Domains

Toxicology
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Dates and versions

pasteur-00722423 , version 1 (01-08-2012)

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Héloïse Frouin, Michel Lebeuf, Mike Hammill, Michel Fournier. Transfer of PBDEs and chlorinated POPs from mother to pup during lactation in harp seals Phoca groenlandica.. Science of the Total Environment, 2012, 417-418, pp.98-107. ⟨10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.11.084⟩. ⟨pasteur-00722423⟩

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