A Correlational Analysis of Phthalate Exposure and Thyroid Hormone Levels in Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida (2010–2019)

Animals

Randall S. Wells¹  Leslie B. Hart²  Miranda K. Dziobak³  Ed F. Wirth⁴  Emily C. Pisarski⁴ 

[1] Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA;Department of Health and Human Performance, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424, USA;Environmental and Sustainability Studies Graduate Program, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424, USA;National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Charleston, SC 29412, USA;

关键词: endocrine disruption;    thyroid hormone;    cetacean;    phthalates;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ani12070824

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Phthalates are chemical esters used to enhance desirable properties of plastics, personal care, and cleaning products. Phthalates have shown ubiquitous environmental contamination due to their abundant use and propensity to leach from products to which they are added. Following exposure, phthalates are rapidly metabolized and excreted through urine. Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) sampled from Sarasota Bay, Florida, have demonstrated prevalent di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure indicated by detectable urinary mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) concentrations. Widespread exposure is concerning due to evidence of endocrine disruption from human and laboratory studies. To better understand how phthalate exposure may impact dolphin health, correlations between relevant hormone levels and detectable urinary MEHP concentrations were examined. Hormone concentrations measured via blood serum samples included triiodothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4), and free thyroxine (FT4). Urinary MEHP concentrations were detected in 56% of sampled individuals (n = 50; mean = 8.13 ng/mL; s.d. = 15.99 ng/mL). Adult female and male FT4 was significantly correlated with urinary MEHP concentrations (adult female Kendall’s tau = 0.36, p = 0.04; adult male Kendall’s tau = 0.42, p = 0.02). Evidence from this study suggests DEHP exposure may be impacting thyroid hormone homeostasis. Cumulative effects of other stressors and resultant endocrine impacts are unknown. Further research is warranted to understand potential health implications associated with this relationship.

【 授权许可】

Unknown