Effect of Underfeeding at the Period of Breast-Feeding on Biochemical Parameters of Blood Plasma in Pups of the Greenland Seal Phoca groenlandica

• Published in: Journal of evolutionary biochemistry and physiology Vol. 38; no. 2; p. 198
• Main Author: Erokhina, I A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer Nature B.V 01.03.2002
• Subjects: Marine mammals
• ISSN: 0022-0930; 1608-3202
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1016562522007

Results of study of some biochemical parameters of blood in newborn pups and in bedlamers that are weaned and molted of the White Sea Greenland seal Phoca groenlandica are presented. Among the bedlamers, there were differentiated the normal (well-fed) pups and the starvelings (the individuals that, for some reason, were underfed by mother). The contents of total protein and its fractions, free amine nitrogen, creatinine, urea, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, and acute phase reactants (haptoglobin and modified albumin) were determined in the blood plasma of the seals. Differences in composition of the blood plasma have been established between the normally fed newborn pups and the starvelings. The effect of the underfeeding at the period of breast-feeding on the biochemical status of seal pups is seen as a decrease of intensity of anabolic processes and of molecular components of immune resistance of the organism. This phenomenon is considered as a negative factor at the period of natural starvation before transition to independent feeding.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]