Blubber Cellular Integrity Through Decomposition and Its Implication for Histological Applications: A Study of Stranded Stock A Humpback Whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae )

Marine mammal strandings can provide unique and valuable insights into individual and population health, ranging from infectious diseases to anthropogenic threats. However, the level of decomposition of carcasses can interfere with the assessment of important indicators, such as an individual's nutritional status. Still, a few characteristics may be suited for physiological analysis, such as connective and adipose tissue cellular structure and proportion. Histology‐based methodologies, like adipocyte measurements, could be utilized as diagnostic tools to assess the nutritional status in these cases, thus becoming a standard and simpler method of body condition measuring for carcasses when allied to traditional morphometrics. This study aimed to assess the preservation of adipose tissue throughout the decomposition process, also testing the applicability of adipocyte measurement methodologies for humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) blubber. Samples collected from stranded carcasses were histologically assessed for cellular integrity, and adipocyte measurements were taken. Different levels of preservation could be observed, from well‐preserved adipocytes to slightly autolyzed and highly autolyzed cells. Well‐preserved samples from CODE 2 to CODE 4 carcasses were suitable for the assessment of the adiposity index and mean area measurements. The need for a uniform method of blubber collection during necropsy was also noted. This study should assist marine fauna investigators and diagnostic pathologists in refining necropsy techniques.