Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
California sea lions, Domoic Acid, Biotoxin, Harmful Algae Bloom, Fetal, ELISA, blood serum
Department
Biology
Major
Biology
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms produced by the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia regularly expose marine mammals along the California coast to domoic acid (DA), a neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in marine food webs. In California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), domoic acid exposure is associated with seizures, hippocampal injury, and maternal-fetal transfer of the toxin that can result in abortion. Bloom events have led to large numbers of stranded sea lions along the California coast. Although some clinical and neurological effects of domoic acid toxicosis have been documented, especially with regard to the hippocampus, there is limited understanding of how domoic acid concentrations fluctuate over the course of rehabilitation and treatment in affected individuals. This project reviews current literature on domoic acid exposure in marine mammals, with a focus on detection methods and biological matrices used for toxin measurement applicable to CA sea lions. Previous studies have evaluated domoic acid in tissues and fluids such as blood serum, feces, and stomach contents using immunoassays and mass spectrometry-based techniques. Building on this work, we are collaborating with the Marine Mammal Care Center to explore the feasibility of analyzing serial blood serum samples collected during treatment of sea lions showing signs of DA exposure. Monitoring how DA concentrations change over time may provide insight into toxin clearance dynamics and improve diagnostic and monitoring strategies for affected sea lions.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Florybeth La Valle
Funding Source or Research Program
Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
10-4-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2026 2:00 PM
Included in
Animal Sciences Commons, Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Biochemistry Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Pathogenic Microbiology Commons
Evaluating ELISA-based Domoic Acid Detection Methods in Fetal and Maternal Samples of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)
Waves Cafeteria
Harmful algal blooms produced by the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia regularly expose marine mammals along the California coast to domoic acid (DA), a neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in marine food webs. In California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), domoic acid exposure is associated with seizures, hippocampal injury, and maternal-fetal transfer of the toxin that can result in abortion. Bloom events have led to large numbers of stranded sea lions along the California coast. Although some clinical and neurological effects of domoic acid toxicosis have been documented, especially with regard to the hippocampus, there is limited understanding of how domoic acid concentrations fluctuate over the course of rehabilitation and treatment in affected individuals. This project reviews current literature on domoic acid exposure in marine mammals, with a focus on detection methods and biological matrices used for toxin measurement applicable to CA sea lions. Previous studies have evaluated domoic acid in tissues and fluids such as blood serum, feces, and stomach contents using immunoassays and mass spectrometry-based techniques. Building on this work, we are collaborating with the Marine Mammal Care Center to explore the feasibility of analyzing serial blood serum samples collected during treatment of sea lions showing signs of DA exposure. Monitoring how DA concentrations change over time may provide insight into toxin clearance dynamics and improve diagnostic and monitoring strategies for affected sea lions.