Changes in total mercury, methylmercury, and selenium blood levels during different life history stages of the Baltic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus grypus)

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 676; pp. 268 - 277
• Main Authors: Grajewska, Agnieszka, Falkowska, Lucyna, Saniewska, Dominika, Pawliczka, Iwona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.08.2019
• Subjects: Blood; Lactation; Maternal transfer; Mercury; Postweaning fast; Lactation; Postweaning fast; Mercury; Maternal transfer; Blood
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.204

Using the blood of grey seal pups, the blood and milk of female grey seals inhabiting the Hel Marine Station of Gdansk University's Institute of Oceanography (HMS), we monitored the transfer of total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), and selenium (Se) with blood during foetal life and nursing. Changes in the concentration of mercury and selenium were characterised in the pups' blood during their first three months of life when they transition from suckling, to a post-weaning fast, to eating fish. In the blood of pregnant females, there was a significant decrease in THg and MeHg concentrations throughout the gestation, indicating the transfer of these toxins through the placenta into the foetus. At no other stage of the pup's development was there such a high level of THg and MeHg as on the day of birth, despite the incorporation of mercury into the lanugo during foetal growth. This suggests that the maternal transfer of mercury during gestation may be the time of greatest mercury exposure for a young seal pup. The consumption of milk caused a rapid increase in weight and a lowering of the mercury level in the blood in the subsequent days of the pups' life. The postweaning fast was the period of the lowest mercury concentration. The switch to a diet consisting of fish caused a systematic increase in the concentration of mercury in the blood of the pups. Milk was the significant source of selenium for pups and the selenium concentration in females' blood was reduced during lactation. The nursing period seemed to have the greatest impact on the mercury and selenium blood levels in examined seals. Natural development of the grey seal pup created an opportunity to decrease the levels of toxic substances obtained through the maternal transfer during foetal growth. [Display omitted] •A pregnant female grey seal cleanses the body of Hg by transporting it to offspring.•The greatest risk of mercury in seal pups occurs during foetal life.•The milk of females is a rich source of selenium for seal pups.•High molar ratio of Se:Hg in seal blood suggests possible reduction in Hg toxicity.•A major drop in methylmercury in the blood of pups occurs 3 months after birth.