LUTEINIZED OVARIAN CYSTS IN MEDITERRANEAN STRIPED DOLPHINS

The morbillivirus epizootic during 1990 to 1992 in Mediterranean strip ed dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) off the Mediterranean coast of Spa in diminished these populations directly through mortalities, and indi rectly through loss of normal fecundity High levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) also were detected in stranded animals. In addition to high numbers of abortions during the epidemic, unusual cystic stru ctures were noted in the ovaries of several morbillivirus-infected dol phins with high PCB levels. These structures were identified as multip le luteinized cysts from their gross and histomorphologic characterist ics, No morbillivirus antigens were detected in tie lesions by immunoh istochemistry Because luteinized cysts occur when ovulation is impeded , either an effect of morbillivirus or PCB's on hypothalamic/pituitary function or an effect of PCB's on ovarian responsiveness are proposed as pathogenic mechanisms These cysts may impede population recovery f rom the epidemic if similar cysts occurred on surviving dolphins.