Platelet phosphatidylserine exposure and microparticle production as health bioindicators in marine mammals

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method to assess platelet function in marine mammals, which could help diagnose and monitor health issues linked to environmental or anthropogenic factors.

Contribution

A novel methodology for real-time assessment of platelet phosphatidylserine exposure and microparticle formation in marine mammals.

Findings

The method was successfully applied to species like dolphins, belugas, walruses, and sea lions.

Changes in platelet microparticle levels correlated with specific pathologies and environmental factors.

The approach shows promise as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for marine mammal health.

Abstract

In human medicine, various pathologies, including decompression sickness, thrombocytopenia, and rheumatoid arthritis, have been linked to changes in cellular microparticles (MP) formation, particularly platelet microparticles (PMP). Similar disorders in marine mammals might be attributed to anthropogenic threats or illnesses, potentially impacting blood PMP levels. Thus, detecting platelet phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and PMP formation could serve as a crucial diagnostic and monitoring approach for these conditions in marine mammals. Our group has developed a methodology to assess real-time PS exposure and PMP formation specifically tailored for marine mammals. This method, pioneered in species such as bottlenose dolphins, beluga whales, walruses, and California sea lions, represents a novel approach with significant implications for both clinical assessment and further research into platelet function in these animals. The adapted methodology for evaluating PS exposure and PMP formation in marine mammals has yielded promising results. By applying this approach, we have observed significant correlations between alterations in PMP levels and specific pathologies or environmental factors. These findings underscore the potential of platelet function assessment as a diagnostic and monitoring tool in marine mammal health. The successful adaptation and application of this methodology in marine mammals highlight its utility for understanding and managing health concerns in these animals.

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