Hemochromatosis (iron storage disease) has been reported in diverse mammals 
including bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The primary cause of 
excessive iron storage in humans is hereditary hemochromatosis. Most human 
hereditary hemochromatosis cases (up to 90%) are caused by a point mutation in 
the hfe gene, resulting in a C282Y substitution leading to iron accumulation. To 
evaluate the possibility of a hereditary hemochromatosis-like genetic 
predisposition in dolphins, we sequenced the bottlenose dolphin hfe gene, using 
reverse transcriptase-PCR and hfe primers designed from the dolphin genome, from 
liver of affected and healthy control dolphins. Sample size included two case 
animals and five control animals. Although isotype diversity was evident, no 
coding differences were identified in the hfe gene between any of the animals 
examined. Because our sample size was small, we cannot exclude the possibility 
that hemochromatosis in dolphins is due to a coding mutation in the hfe gene. 
Other potential causes of hemochromatosis, including mutations in different 
genes, diet, primary liver disease, and insulin resistance, should be evaluated.