Abstract
We assessed adverse effects of external sublethal exposure of Deepwater Horizon, Mississippi Canyon 252 oil on plasma and liver metabolome profiles of the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), a large (1.5 to 3.0 kg) diving waterbird common in the Gulf of Mexico. Metabolomics analysis of avian plasma showed significant negative effects on avian metabolic profiles, in some cases after only two external exposures (26 g cumulative) to oil. We observed significant (p < 0.05) changes in intermediate metabolites of energy metabolism and fatty acid and amino acid metabolic pathways in cormorants after repeated exposure to oil. Exposure to oil increased several metabolites (glycine, betaine, serine and methionine) that are essential to the one-carbon metabolism pathway. Lipid metabolism was affected, causing an increase in production of ketone bodies, suggesting lipids were used as an alternative energy source for energy production in oil exposed birds. In addition, metabolites associated with hepatic bile acid metabolism were affected by oil exposure which was correlated with changes observed in bile acids in exposed birds. These changes at the most basic level of phenotypic expression caused by sublethal exposure to oil can have effects that would be detrimental to reproduction, migration, and survival in avian species.
Highlights
3-Hydroxybutyrate (3HB)* Acetate+ Choline+ Formate Glycerol further research was needed to better understand the effects of repeated sublethal exposure of DHW oil on avian health and potential fate
We further examine samples collected from an external oil dosing study conducted on Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus; cormorant19,20) to evaluate the effect of exposure to DWH Mississippi Canyon 252 (MC252) oil on the avian metabolome
We assessed adverse effects of external sublethal exposure of DWH MC252 oil on metabolites extracted from plasma and the liver of Double-crested Cormorants, a large (1.2–2.5 kg), fish-eating, diving waterbird and a Gulf of Mexico relevant avian species[25]
Summary
3-Hydroxybutyrate (3HB)* Acetate+ Choline+ Formate Glycerol further research was needed to better understand the effects of repeated sublethal exposure of DHW oil on avian health and potential fate. Our research builds on a recent suite of studies examining effects of exposure to DWH MC252 oil on various analytes and their physiological endpoints in multiple bird species[3]. In these studies, exposure to weathered MC252 oil resulted in changes in hematologic parameters, effects on multiple organs, cardiac function, feather damage, and increased heat loss and energetic demands[15,16,17,18]. We further examine samples collected from an external oil dosing study conducted on Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus; cormorant19,20) to evaluate the effect of exposure to DWH MC252 oil on the avian metabolome. Our objective was to determine if repeated external application of sublethal amounts of artificially weathered MC252 oil to cormorants resulted in measurable changes to the metabolome profile of cormorants
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