Histological Processing and Pathological Analysis of Stranded Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus)
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Authors
Beecher, Tracey
Issue Date
1988
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
A histological protocol was designed for execution at the lab to aid in
analyzing tissue samples from stranded Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins
(Tursoos truncatus). Standard organ samples from the right lung, left lung,
liver, spleen, pancreas, and thoracic lymph node were obtained through
necropsy and fixed in a 10% buffered formalin solution for storage.
Following fixation, samples were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin wax
blocks. The blocks were subsequently sectioned on an AO 800 microtome
and stained using Harris Hematoxyl in and Eosin y stains. The prepared
slides were then examined microscopically. Results indicated that at least
eight of the fourteen animals examined had bronchial pneumonia. One
specimen was found to have chronic pancreatitis. Microbiological analysis
revealed three of the animals to have septicemia with a noted presence of
Vibrio alginolyticus in all cases. The results provide a standardized
procedure for identification of the mortality factors and their significance
in the deaths of the animals. In regard to the pneumonia cases, a correlation
was established between climate variance and mortality. It was determined
that 77% of the infected dolphins died within five days following a day with
a temperature drop of 25º C or greater. The implementation of this protocol
will enhance further study and conclusions to the causes of death of
Tursfops truncatus off of the Florida coast.
Description
vi, 32 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.