Transportation of captive dolphins is a necessary part of their routine management and care. While opinions may differ as to its effect on homeostasis, many current beliefs are based on subjective observations. To date, no techniques are available for objective evaluation of the influence of transportation on dolphin immune function.

This study was designed to determine: (1) if the lymphocyte transformation assay (LTA) could detect changes in dolphins' immune function and (2) to evaluate the degree and duration of immunosuppression associated with a simulated transport.

The subjects were two adult, healthy captive dolphins. Prior to, during and for three weeks following a 12 hour simulated transport period (out of water), peripheral blood lymphocytes were periodically isolated, cryopreserved, and LTA performed using techniques previously developed for this purpose. Blood and serum samples were also collected and evaluated for hematologic and biochemical changes.

No behavioral, hematologic or biochemical abnormalities were noted following the simulated transportation period. However, a decrease in lymphocyte transformation response was detected. The most severe depression of lymphocyte activity occurred approximately 5 days post transport and returned to normal levels by day 11.

While additional studies are needed to fully characterize the effects of stress on the dolphin immune system, our results provide, for the first time, a method of determining the changes in immune function in individual dolphins. Our findings do not correlate the depression of lymphocyte activity that was observed with the degree of decreased resistance to disease. Future studies will be necessary to relate the degree of lymphocyte transformation measured to immunosuppression and decreases in disease resistance. Such techniques and determinations should play a central role in the development of improved dolphin management systems that optimize disease resistance.