How to translate text using browser tools
20 September 2012 THE ONSET OF GOITER IN SEVERAL SPECIES OF SHARKS FOLLOWING THE ADDITION OF OZONE TO A TOUCH POOL
Alexis L. Morris, Donald W. Stremme, Barbara J. Sheppard, Michael T. Walsh, Lisa L. Farina, Ruth Francis-Floyd
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

This report describes the onset of goiter in several species of shark following the addition of ozone to a touch pool. A detailed description of a female brown-banded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) that was presented with multinodular goiter is provided. Four other brown-banded bamboo sharks and 11 white-spotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) housed in the same system developed clinical disease consistent with goiter, but two zebra bullhead sharks (Heterodontus zebra) did not. Plasma thyroxine (T4) concentration was 4.64 ng/ml before euthanasia, consistent with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. The sharks had been chronically exposed to mean (± standard error) NO3–N concentrations of 35 ± 5.12 mg/L before ozonation of the system. Ozonation of aquarium water causes a reduction in environmental iodide, which is required for thyroid hormone synthesis. Nitrate is goitrogenic and would further decrease I absorption by competitive inhibition. Multinodular goiter is consistent with goiter caused by chronic iodide deficiency. Understanding the interaction between water chemistry and goiter development is critical to development of elasmobranch health management systems.

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Alexis L. Morris, Donald W. Stremme, Barbara J. Sheppard, Michael T. Walsh, Lisa L. Farina, and Ruth Francis-Floyd "THE ONSET OF GOITER IN SEVERAL SPECIES OF SHARKS FOLLOWING THE ADDITION OF OZONE TO A TOUCH POOL," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 43(3), 621-624, (20 September 2012). https://doi.org/10.1638/2010-0160R2.1
Received: 11 September 2010; Published: 20 September 2012
KEYWORDS
Bamboo shark
elasmobranchs
goiter
iodide
nitrate
ozone
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top