Investigation of molecular biomarkers as potential indicators of health in wild belugas (Delphinapterus leucas)

The health implications of increasing exposure of marine mammals to environmental and anthropogenic stressors have been of major concern, warranting a better understanding of underlying physiology. This study screened gene expression profiles of ten stress and immune-related biomarkers using real-time polymerase chain reaction in both wild and aquarium belugas, reporting their reference ranges. Blood (n = 75) and skin (n = 73) samples were...