Abstract:

Previous studies with common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Barataria Bay, Louisiana have demonstrated that exposure to petroleum products following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused adrenal gland and lung disease, which contributed to increased mortality and decreased reproductive success during the immediate years following the oil spill. As such, there is a need to continue to monitor the reproductive health of dolphins in Barataria Bay to determine changes in reproductive success over time. This database contains health assessment data from live dolphins in Barataria Bay in 2017 using methods previously described. For the data on live dolphins, adult females, particularly those known to be reproductively mature based on previous sightings with a calf, were the focus of these health assessments. Relevant data for each live wild dolphin sampled include sampling location (latitude and longitude), date, time, sex, morphometrics, and diagnostic test results including the following: (1) blood gas and end-tidal CO2 variables, (2) hematology and serum chemistry values, (3) hormone analyses, (4) immune function profiles, and (5) lung ultrasound scores. This dataset was corrected on Apr. 13, 2020-- the blood draw times for the pre-exam blood gas analysis were incorrect.

Suggested Citation:

Cynthia Smith, Lori Schwacke, Teri Rowles. 2019. Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) data to evaluate reproductive health among wild dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana from 2017-09-18 to 2017-09-21. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-76aj-rp39

Publications:

Smith, C. R., Rowles, T. K., Gomez, F. M., Ivančić, M., Colegrove, K. M., Takeshita, R., Townsend, F. I., Zolman, E. S., Morey, J. S., Cendejas, V., Meegan, J. M., Musser, W., Speakman, T. R., Barratclough, A., Wells, R. S., & Schwacke, L. H. (2022). Poor pulmonary health in Barataria Bay dolphins in the eight years following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.975006

Purpose:

In the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) catastrophe, impacts to bottlenose dolphins in heavily oiled coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico were well documented. Necropsies of the recovered carcasses and studies of live dolphins within the DWH oil spill footprint confirmed lung injury and adrenal gland lesions consistent with known effects of oil or petroleum-associated compounds. In addition, a high incidence of reproductive failure was concluded from a lack of calves being observed during monitoring surveys of pregnant dolphins. Although the exact mechanism of reproductive failure has not been determined to date, proposed factors include compromised maternal health (specifically, pulmonary disease), direct oil-related toxic effects to the reproductive system, complications related to adrenal system dysfunction, and immune system perturbations leading to an increased susceptibility to reproductive pathogens. The underlying factors for the observed reproductive impairment are a critical but lingering research question. Addressing this question is essential to understand the process for bottlenose dolphin recovery specific to the DWH oil spill, and also to assess population risk and predict recovery trajectories for future spill events involving dolphins or other less well-studied cetaceans.

Data Parameters and Units:

The dataset includes one excel file and contains the data on the various dolphin test subjects (such as weight, sex, age, etc.), as well as information on blood, urinalysis, pulmonary, blood gas (pre- and post-exam) and immune system, organized under different worksheets. The parameters from all the worksheets are defined below: Date Date (dd-MON-yy) field_id Unique identifier for each dolphin in the dataset net_out Time (24:00) net was deployed during capture-assessment-release process hit_net_restrained Time (24:00) animal was safely in handlers' control latitude Latitude in decimal degrees longitude Longitude in decimal degrees sex Sex (M/F) age.yrs Age in years, when available, determined by growth layer group counts on extracted teeth pregnant Pregnant (Y/N) length.cm Total length in cm weight.kg Body weight in kg Date Date (dd-MON-yy) field_id Unique identifier for each dolphin in the dataset net_out Time (24:00) net was deployed during capture-assessment-release process Hem_sample_type Sample type submitted to analytical laboratory for hematology Hematocrit.percent Hematocrit (%) Hemoglobin.g/dL Hemoglobin (g/dL) RBC.mill/uL Red blood cells (mill/uL) MCV.fL Mean corpuscular volume (fL) MCH.pg Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (pg) MCHC.g/dL Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (g/dL) RDW.percent Red blood cell distribution width (%) Reticulocyte_Count.percent Reticulocyte Count (%) Absolute_Retic_Count.thou/uL Absolute Retic Count (thou/uL) Nucleated_RBCs.per.100.WBC Nucleated RBCs (/100 WBC) WBC.thou/uL White blood cells (thou/uL) Segmented_Neutrophils.thou/uL Segmented Neutrophil(s) (thou/uL) Band_Neutrophils.thou/uL Band Neutrophil(s) (thou/uL) Lymphocytes.thou/uL Lymphocyte(s) (thou/uL) Monocytes.thou/uL Monocyte(s) (thou/uL) Eosinophils.thou/uL Eosinophil(s) (thou/uL) Basophils.thou/uL Basophil(s) (thou/uL) Platelet_Count.thou/uL Platelet Count (thou/uL) MPV.fL Mean platelet volume (fL) Platelet_Smear_Estimation Platelet Smear Estimation Total_Protein_Ref.g/dL Total Protein - Ref (g/dL) Plasma_Appearance Plasma Appearance WBC_Exam WBC Exam RBC_Morphology RBC Morphology Parasites Parasite(s) Packed_Cell_Volume.percent Packed Cell Volume (%) Chem_sample_type Sample type submitted to analytical laboratory for blood chemistry analyses Sodium.mEq/L Sodium (mEq/L) Potassium.mEq/L Potassium (mEq/L) Chloride.mEq/L Chloride (mEq/L) Bicarbonate.mEq/L Bicarbonate (mEq/L) Anion_Gap.mEq/L Anion Gap (mEq/L) Sodium_Potassium_Ratio Sodium Potassium Ratio Urea_Nitrogen.mg/dL Urea Nitrogen (mg/dL) Creatinine.mg/dL Creatinine (mg/dL) Calcium.mg/dL Calcium (mg/dL) Phosphate.mg/dL Phosphate (mg/dL) Magnesium.mEq/L Magnesium (mEq/L) Albumin.g/dL Albumin (g/dL) Globulin.g/dL Globulin (g/dL) A/G_Ratio Albumin/Globulin Ratio Glucose.mg/dL Glucose (mg/dL) ALT.U/L Alanine aminotransferase (U/L) AST.U/L Aspartate aminotransferase (U/L) Alkaline_Phosphatase.U/L Alkaline Phosphatase (U/L) GGT.U/L Gamma-glutamyl transferase (U/L) Total_Bilirubin.mg/dL Total Bilirubin (mg/dL) Direct_Bilirubin.mg/dL Direct Bilirubin (mg/dL) Indirect_Bilirubin.mg/dL Indirect Bilirubin (mg/dL) Amylase.U/L Amylase (U/L) Cholesterol.mg/dL Cholesterol (mg/dL) Creatine_Kinase .U/L Creatine Kinase (U/L) Iron.ug/dL Iron (ug/dL) Total_Iron_Binding_Capacity.ug/dL Total Iron Binding Capacity (ug/dL) Saturation.percent Saturation (%) Lipemia Lipemia Hemolysis Hemolysis Icterus Icterus LDH.U/L Lactate dehydrogenase (U/L) SDH.U/L Sorbitol dehydrogenase (U/L) Total_protein.g/dL Total Protein (g/dL) Triglycerides.mg/dL Triglycerides (mg/dL) Uric_acid.mg/dL Uric Acid (mg/dL) Imm_sample_type Sample type submitted to analytical laboratory for immunology Albumin2.g/dL Albumin2 (g/dL) Alpha1_Globulin.g/dL Alpha1 Globulin (g/dL) Alpha2_Globulin.g/dL Alpha2 Globulin (g/dL) Total_Alpha_Globulin.g/dL Total Alpha Globulin (g/dL) Beta1_Globulin.g/dL Beta1 Globulin (g/dL) Beta2_Globulin.g/dL Beta2 Globulin (g/dL) Total_Beta_Globulin.g/dL Total Beta Globulin (g/dL) Gamma_Globulin.g/dL Gamma Globulin (g/dL) Immune_A/G_ratio Immune A/G Ratio End_sample_type Sample type submitted to analytical laboratory for endocrinology Aldosterone.pg/mL Aldosterone (pg/mL) Cortisol.ug/dL Cortisol (ug/dL) FreeT4.ng/dL FreeT4 (ng/dL) TotalT3.ng/mL TotalT3 (ng/mL) TotalT4.ug/dL TotalT4 (ug/dL) Progesterone.ng/mL Progesterone (ng/mL) Estradiol.pg/mL Estradiol (pg/mL) Testosterone.ng/mL Testosterone (ng/mL) Blood_culture_sample_type Sample type submitted to analytical laboratory for blood culture Aerobic_blood _culture Aerobic Blood Culture results Anaerobic_blood _culture Anaerobic Blood Culture results Fibrinogen_sample_type Sample type submitted to analytical laboratory for fibrinogen Fibrinogen.mg/dL Fibrinogen (mg/dL) Date Date (dd-MON-yy) field_id Unique identifier for each dolphin in the dataset net_out Time (24:00) net was deployed during capture-assessment-release process Volume.ml Volume of urine collected (ml) Color Color of urine sample Turbidity Turbidity of urine sample Specific.gravity Specific gravity of urine sample pH pH of urine sample Protein Total protein in urine sample Glucose Glucose concentration in urine sample Ketones Ketones concentration in urine sample Bilirubin Bilirubin concentration in urine sample Heme Heme concentration in urine sample WBC WBC count in urine sample RBC RBC count in urine sample Bacteria Bacteria in urine sample Epithelial.cells Epithelial cells in urine sample Sperm Sperm in urine sample Fat.drops Fat droplets in urine sample Debris Debris in urine sample Casts Casts in urine sample Crystals Crystals in urine sample Date Date (dd-MON-yy) field_id Unique identifier for each dolphin in the dataset net_out Time (24:00) net was deployed during capture-assessment-release process Sex Sex (M/F) Left.lung.score Lung scores were assigned to each animal based on overall lung findings and the presence/absence and severity of abnormalities. Overall lung scores were assigned, ranging from normal (no disease detected) to severe disease, by an experienced marine mammal veterinarian who conducted the ultrasound exam, as well as a board-certified veterinary radiologist. Left.effusion Presence of plueral effusion in left lung? (Y/N) Left.effusion.descr Description of pleural effusion, if present in left lung. Left.AIS Presence of alveolar-interstitial syndrome (AIS) in left lung? (Y/N) Left.AIS.descr Description of AIS, if present in left lung. Left.plumonary.nodule Presence of pulmonary nodules in left lung? (Y/N) Left.number.of.nodules Number of nodules in left lung Left.pulmonary.mass Presence of pulmonary masses in left lung? (Y/N) Left.pulmonary.mass.descr Description of masses, if present in left lung. Left.pulmonary.consolidation Presence of pulmonary consolidation in left lung? (Y/N) Left.pulmonary.consolidation.descr Description of consolidation, if present in left lung. Right.lung.score Lung scores were assigned to each animal based on overall lung findings and the presence/absence and severity of abnormalities. Overall lung scores were assigned, ranging from normal (no disease detected) to severe disease, by an experienced marine mammal veterinarian who conducted the ultrasound exam, as well as a board-certified veterinary radiologist. Right.effusion Presence of plueral effusion in Right lung? (Y/N) Right.effusion.descr Description of pleural effusion, if present in Right lung. Right.AIS Presence of alveolar-interstitial syndrome (AIS) in Right lung? (Y/N) Right.AIS.descr Description of AIS, if present in Right lung. Right.plumonary.nodule Presence of pulmonary nodules in Right lung? (Y/N) Right.number.of.nodules Number of nodules in Right lung Right.pulmonary.mass Presence of pulmonary masses in Right lung? (Y/N) Right.pulmonary.mass.descr Description of masses, if present in Right lung. Right.pulmonary.consolidation Presence of pulmonary consolidation in Right lung? (Y/N) Right.pulmonary.consolidation.descr Description of consolidation, if present in Right lung. Comments Comments on pulmonary exam Date Date (dd-MON-yy) field_id Unique identifier for each dolphin in the dataset net_out Time (24:00) net was deployed during capture-assessment-release process mean.pre-ETCO2.mmHg Capnography measurement of mean end-tidal CO2 from pre-exam blood draw (mmHg) blood.draw.time Time (24:00) blood was drawn for analysis CG4+_pH pH (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_PaCO2.mmHg Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_PaO2.mmHg Partial pressure of oxygen (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_Beecf.mmol/L Base excess in the extracellular fluid compartment (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_HCO3.mmol/L Bicarbonate (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_TCO2.mmol/L Total carbon dioxide (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_sO2.percent Oxygen saturation (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_Lact.mmol/L Lactate (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_Na.mmol/L Sodium (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_K.mmol/L Potassium (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_Cl.mmol/L Chloride (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_iCa.mmol/L Ionized calcium (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_TCO2.mmol/L Total carbon dioxide (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_Glu.mg/dL Glucose (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_BUN/Urea.mg/dL Urea nitrogen (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_Crea.mg/dL Creatinine (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_HCT.percent Hematocrit (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_HGB.g/dL Hemoglobin (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_AnGap.mmol/L Anion gap (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Date Date (dd-MON-yy) field_id Unique identifier for each dolphin in the dataset net_out Time (24:00) net was deployed during capture-assessment-release process mean.post-ETCO2.mmHg Capnography measurement of mean end-tidal CO2 from post-exam blood draw (mmHg) blood.draw.time Time (24:00) blood was drawn for analysis CG4+_pH pH (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_PaCO2.mmHg Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_PaO2.mmHg Partial pressure of oxygen (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_Beecf.mmol/L Base excess in the extracellular fluid compartment (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_HCO3.mmol/L Bicarbonate (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_TCO2.mmol/L Total carbon dioxide (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_sO2.percent Oxygen saturation (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) CG4+_Lact.mmol/L Lactate (using CG4+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_Na.mmol/L Sodium (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_K.mmol/L Potassium (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_Cl.mmol/L Chloride (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_iCa.mmol/L Ionized calcium (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_TCO2.mmol/L Total carbon dioxide (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_Glu.mg/dL Glucose (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_BUN/Urea.mg/dL Urea nitrogen (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_Crea.mg/dL Creatinine (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_HCT.percent Hematocrit (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_HGB.g/dL Hemoglobin (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Chem8+_AnGap.mmol/L Anion gap (using Chem8+ iStat cartridge) Date Date (dd-MON-yy) field_id Unique identifier for each dolphin in the dataset net_out Time (24:00) net was deployed during capture-assessment-release process LP_sample_type Sample type submitted to analytical laboratory for lymphocyte proliferation analysis Lymp.prolif_NM Lymphocyte proliferation without mitogen stimulation (optical density reading from cell proliferation ELISA BrdU assay [OD]) Lymp.prolif_0.1ConA Lymphocyte proliferation with 0.1 µg/ml ConA Lymp.prolif_1ConA Lymphocyte proliferation with 1 µg/ml ConA Lymp.prolif_0.1PHA Lymphocyte proliferation with 0.1 µg/ml PHA Lymp.prolif_1PHA Lymphocyte proliferation with 1 µg/ml PHA Lymp.prolif_0.05LPS Lymphocyte proliferation with 0.05 µg/ml LPS Lymp.prolif_5LPS Lymphocyte proliferation with 5 µg/ml LPS cyt_sample_type Sample type submitted to analytical laboratory for cytokines analysis IL1b_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using porcine reagents. IL4_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using porcine reagents. IL8_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using porcine reagents. IL2_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using a human kit. IL5_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using a human kit. IL10_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using a human kit. IL12_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using a human kit. IL13_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using a human kit. GMCSF_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using a human kit. IFNg_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using a human kit. TNFa_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using a human kit.

Methods:

An overview of health assessment methodologies can be found in Barratclough et al., (2019).

Provenance and Historical References:

This dataset was initially published on 2019-09-26 and was revised again on 2020-04-13 to correct the blood draw times for the pre-exam blood gas analysis in the worksheet "NMMF.bloodgas.pre-exam". The dataset now includes both the originally submitted (labeled 'version1') file as well as the revised version (2017_health_assessments_200413.xlsx). Barratclough, A., Wells, R.S., Schwacke, L.H., Rowles, T.K., Gomez, F.M., Fauquier, D.A., Sweeney, J.C., Townsend, F.I., Hansen, L.J., Zolman, E.S. and Balmer, B.C. (2019). Health Assessments of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Past, Present, and Potential Conservation Applications. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6. doi:10.3389/fvets.2019.00444

Individual Files: