Completely unrelated picture of healthy dolphins.
"The parallel between findings in dolphins exposed following the Deepwater Horizon spill and laboratory mice experimentally exposed to oil was impressive and really helped build the weight of evidence between oil exposure and specific effects on the immune system," explained De Guise.
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Both the mice exposed to oil and the dolphins had increased T lymphocyte (white blood cell) proliferation and more cells that suppress the immune system – T regulatory cells. These cells usually prevent autoimmune diseases. ...
Studies in rodents have previously linked such immune system changes to increased susceptibility to disease. De Guise's team showed these immune differences could also be passed down from rodents who had been exposed to oil pollution to their young. And as the changes were not just present in the older dolphins, the team is concerned these impairments are being passed down through the generations of dolphins. ...
Researchers are concerned the long term effects of oil spills may not be limited to dolphins. We still know little about the health outcome from other long-lived species like turtles. Immune effects have also been reported in humans who have worked to clean up oil spills, suggesting there's a common response to oil exposure across mammals.
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