Significance of Lymphocytes with T-helper/T-suppressor Antigens in Captive Beluga Whales
A. J. Kenyon; L. Dunn; D. Douglas; P. Babukis
University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT; Mystic
Marinelife Aquarium, Mystic, CT
In a study to initially explain the prevalence of nematodiasis
(Pharurus pallasii) in D. leucas from the Churchill River Basin, blood samples
were taken to assess immunologic responsiveness. Analyses of B- and T-lymphocytes were performed
on blood from 7 Churchill whales that bad been in captivity from 3 months to 12 years (New York
and Mystic Aquaria). The antisera used to identify the T-lymphocyte subpopulations was the OKT
series of mouse monoclonal antibodies (ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation). Cells with antigens
reacting with antibodies B1, OKT3, OKT4, OKT8 and OKT11, were counted and separated
with a fluorescence activated cell sorter and fractions observed by light and electron
microscopy. Whales recently brought into captivity had four-fold ratios of
"T-suppressor" to "T-helper." Churchill whales that had been in captivity
for 10 years had equal "T-suppressor" and "T-helper." In two recent
captives, which became ill, the level of 'helper" T-cells exceeded the level of
"T-suppressor" cells. Histology on one of these whales revealed evidence of B-cell
stimulation. This data indicates that monoclonal antibodies raised to human cell surface
antigens cross-reacts in whales and provides a means of assessing lymphoid stimulation.