Abstract:

Considerable efforts have been made to better understand the immune system of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in view of the common environmental challenges they encounter, such as exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, oil spills or harmful algal bloom biotoxins. However, little is known about how the immune system/function changes during pregnancy. Blood samples from managed care dolphins were collected as a control to measure peripheral blood mononuclear cells to assess number of regulatory T cells (n), proportion of regulatory T cells (%), CD154/CD69 expression levels (fluorescence intensity and cell counts), and cytokine levels (fluorescence intensity or real-time PCR transcript counts).

Suggested Citation:

Sylvain De Guise, Milton Levin, Ashley Barratclough, Forrest Gomez and Cynthia R. Smith. 2019. Immune function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy pregnant bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/BJP66F7R

Purpose:

These data were used to help identify immune abnormalities indicative of fetal distress and morbidity, and further, improve understanding of reproductive failure in wild and managed populations.

Data Parameters and Units:

Pregnancy.outcome Was the pregnancy a success or failure? Animal.ID Unique dolphin identifier Year Year sample was collected Trimester Trimester when sample was collected 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. 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. TGFb_pg/ml Cytokine levels in pg/ml. Measured using porcine reagents.

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