Histopathology of the Alarm Reaction in Small Odontocetes

Histopathology of the Alarm Reaction in Small Odontocetes

Pathological changes in the organs and tissues of beach-stranded, net-caught or captive small odontocete cetaceans (whales and dolphins) are reported. These changes include contraction band necrosis of cardiac and smooth muscles, smooth muscle spasm, ischemic injury to the intestinal mucosa (especia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of comparative pathology Vol. 139; no. 1; pp. 24 - 33
Main Authors: Cowan, D.F., Curry, B.E.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2008
Subjects:
alarm reaction
Animals
Behavior, Animal
cetacean
Coronary Vessels - pathology
Dolphins
Fear
Female
histopathology
Intestinal Mucosa - blood supply
Intestinal Mucosa - pathology
Ischemia
Kidney Tubules, Proximal - pathology
Male
Myocardium - pathology
Necrosis
odontocete
Spasm - pathology
Stress, Physiological - pathology
Whales
histopathology
odontocete
alarm reaction
cetacean
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Summary:Pathological changes in the organs and tissues of beach-stranded, net-caught or captive small odontocete cetaceans (whales and dolphins) are reported. These changes include contraction band necrosis of cardiac and smooth muscles, smooth muscle spasm, ischemic injury to the intestinal mucosa (especially the mucosa of the small intestine) and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) of the proximal tubules of the nephron. Spastic contraction of terminal bronchiolar muscular sphincters was also observed. The changes are consistent with multi-systemic injury caused by massive release of endogenous catecholamines or vasospasm leading to ischemic injury, followed by reperfusion and reperfusion injury. The histopathological findings suggest that the reflex response of an odontocete to any major perceived threat (the “alarm reaction”) is to activate the physiological adaptations to diving or escape to an extreme or pathological level, resulting, if greatly prolonged, in widespread ischemic injury to tissues. These observations may explain why these species die abruptly from handling or transportation and why the mortality of highly stressed beach-stranded animals is very high.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0021-9975
1532-3129
DOI:10.1016/j.jcpa.2007.11.009