Skin biopsies for cell cultures from Mediterranean free-ranging cetaceans

The aim of this study was to develop a useful method for obtaining viable t issue samples for establishing cell cultures from skin biopsies of free-ran ging cetaceans. The skin biopsies were performed by two methods: dart from an air gun and dart from a crossbow. The dart tip was modified to collect t issue. The tissue was kept in tissue culture medium at ambient temperature, then processed within 24 h. Many modifications in culture technique, with respect to conventional culture methods for human fibroblasts, were made. T he cultures thus obtained can be used for many purposes, including genetic and toxicological studies. In toxicology they are an alternative in vitro s ystem for studying threatened animals such as marine mammals. In particular , fibroblasts can be used to test the vulnerability of cetaceans and pinnip eds to different environmental contaminants such as organochlorine compound s, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.