Slow Process of Wound Repair in Beluga Whales, <i>Delphinapterus leucas</i>

Abstract

Wound repair in beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, was studied by examining the sequence and timing of regenerative changes in skin incisions. Soon after the epidermis is breached, exposed cells not normally in contact with seawater begin to degenerate. Within 2 d, the degenerating layer becomes thickened to form a barrier protecting underlying tissue. This layer gradually sloughs as advancing epidermal cells fill the breach. Wound repair is complete in 30–40 d, five times longer than in the bottlenosed dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. Although several factors may be involved, we suggest that the difference in timing appears to relate directly to the greater thickness of epidermis in the whales.