Phagocytosis in pup and adult harbour, grey and XXXX .

@entity19694 @entity13484
Knowledge on pinniped immunology is still in its infancy. For instance, age-related and developmental aspects of the immune system in pinnipeds need to be better described. The present study examined the phagocytic activity and efficiency of harbour, grey and @entity13484 leukocytes. In the first part of the study, peripheral blood was collected from captive female harbour seals of various ages. Data showed an age-related decrease in phagocytosis in female harbour seals from sub-adult to adulthood. In the second part of the study, changes in phagocytosis were quantified during lactation in wild newborn harbour, grey and @entity13484 and in their mothers (harp and @entity19694 ). In newborns of the same age, leukocytes of harbour and @entity13484 phagocytosed less than those of @entity19694 pups. The phagocytic activity and efficiency increased significantly from early to mid-lactation in newborn harbour seals, and from early to late lactation in newborn @entity19694 , which could suggest that the transfer of phagocytosis-promoting factor(s) in colostrum is an important feature of temporary protection for pups. In contrast, no changes in phagocytic activity and efficiency were observed in lactating females of the two seal species, harp and grey, examined. At late lactation, phagocytic activity in both grey and @entity13484 pups and phagocytic efficiency in @entity19694 pups were significantly higher than in their mothers. These results could reflect either the capacity of phagocytes of the newborn harp and @entity19694 to respond to pathogens. Results from this study suggest that the phagocytosis of the seal species examined is not fully developed at birth as it generally increases in pups during lactation. Thereafter, the phagocytic activity of seals appears to decrease throughout adulthood.
