A longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of total body oxygen store development in nursing harbor seals (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoca vitulina</Emphasis>)

This study compared the efficacy of longitudinal and cross-sectional sampling regimes for detecting developmental changes in total body oxygen (TBO₂) stores that accompany behavioral development in free-ranging harbor seal pups. TBO₂ stores were estimated for pup (n = 146) and adult female (n = 20) harbor seals. Age related changes were compared between pups captured repeatedly during the lactation period (longitudinal dataset) and a second group of pups handled only once (cross-sectional dataset). At each handling, hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, total plasma volume, blood volume, muscle myoglobin concentration, and blood and muscle oxygen stores were determined. Comparisons across age categories revealed newborn blood oxygen stores were initially elevated, declined to low values by early lactation, and increased through post-weaning. Muscle oxygen stores remained low and constant throughout lactation and only increased significantly post-weaning. Overall TBO₂ stores increased 17% during lactation, and weaned pups had TBO₂ stores that were 55% as large as those of adults. Thus, significant increases in TBO₂ stores must occur after weaning, as pups begin to forage independently. Results from the two sampling schemes did not differ, indicating that the logistically simpler cross-sectional design can be used to monitor physiological development in harbor seals.