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Gene transcription in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from disparate populations

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Abstract

Polar bears in the Beaufort (SB) and Chukchi (CS) Seas experience different environments due primarily to a longer history of sea ice loss in the Beaufort Sea. Ecological differences have been identified as a possible reason for the generally poorer body condition and reproduction of Beaufort polar bears compared to those from the Chukchi, but the influence of exposure to other stressors remains unknown. We use molecular technology, quantitative PCR, to identify gene transcription differences among polar bears from the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas as well as captive healthy polar bears. We identified significant transcriptional differences among a priori groups (i.e., captive bears, SB 2012, SB 2013, CS 2013) for ten of the 14 genes of interest (i.e., CaM, HSP70, CCR3, TGFβ, COX2, THRα, T-bet, Gata3, CD69, and IL17); transcription levels of DRβ, IL1β, AHR, and Mx1 did not differ among groups. Multivariate analysis also demonstrated separation among the groups of polar bears. Specifically, we detected transcript profiles consistent with immune function impairment in polar bears from the Beaufort Sea, when compared with Chukchi and captive polar bears. Although there is no strong indication of differential exposure to contaminants or pathogens between CS and SB bears, there are clearly differences in important transcriptional responses between populations. Further investigation is warranted to refine interpretation of potential effects of described stress-related conditions for the SB population.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative. We are grateful for the contributions of the veterinarians to the Anchorage Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, Brookfield Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, SeaWorld Orlando, Louisville Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Buffalo City Zoo, Toledo Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Oregon Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Samples were provided by the zoos and aquaria under the expressed permission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and under the Animal Care Committee protocols established at each of the aquaria. Mention of trade names or organizations does not imply endorsement by the US government.

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We are not aware of any conflicts of interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Sacramento, CA, 95826, USA

    Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles & Shannon Waters

  2. Toledo Zoo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA

    Randi Meyerson

  3. Alaska Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA

    Karyn Rode & Todd Atwood

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  1. Lizabeth Bowen
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Correspondence to Lizabeth Bowen.

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Bowen, L., Miles, A.K., Waters, S. et al. Gene transcription in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from disparate populations. Polar Biol 38, 1413–1427 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-015-1705-0

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