Pollution of marine environments near human population centers can expose marine mammals to carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals. Humans residing near these areas may share some of the same food sources, exposing them to similar risks. We propose to adapt an established method for monitoring human populations for mutagen exposure, the autoradiographic hprt mutant lymphocyte assay, for use with California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Assay conditions and baseline mutant frequencies will be established with blood samples obtained from a captive population at Sea World, San Antonio, Tx. As a """"""""positive"""""""" control, lymphocytes from this population will be exposed to a reactive polyaromatic hydrocarbon, such as a benz(a)pyrene diol - epoxide, in vitro to determine their sensitivity to a characteristic environmental mutagen. Human lymphocytes will also be treated in vitro for comparison. Blood samples from 15-20 stranded free- living sea lions will be obtained from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. Lymphocytes will be assayed for frequencies of hprt mutants. Data on tissue levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine levels, as determined by the Marine Mammal Center, will be used to analyze the relationship between mutant frequency and exposure.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31GM018908-02
Application #
2545993
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG2-PSF (04))
Project Start
1997-09-30
Project End
Budget Start
1997-09-30
Budget End
1998-09-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Medical Br Galveston
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041367053
City
Galveston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77555