The effect of PCBs on glycogen reserves in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica

Recent declines in Chesapeake Bay oyster populations have been attributed to disease, and reduced water quality from pollution. The stress associated with pollutant exposure may reduce energy available for growth and reproduction. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are lipophilic contaminants that may potentially affect mobilization of lipid reserves, increasing reliance on glycogen stores, which could otherwise be utilized to supply energy for gametogenesis. Thus, PCBs may indirectly affect glycogen stores in oysters in a deleterious manner. To test for this effect, reproductively inactive oysters were exposed to PCBs by feeding individuals 0.7 g of algal paste containing 0, 0.35, or 3.5 μg PCBs daily for 8 weeks. Additionally, a group of oysters was exposed to PCBs (0, 0.35, and 3.5 μg) plus 0.3 g of non-toxic artificial sediment to examine interactive effects of sediment particles and PCBs. Adductor muscle, mantle, and gonadal tissues were analyzed for glycogen content. Results suggest that glycogen content is reduced in the adductor muscle with increasing PCB exposure, but there are no effects of PCBs in the mantle and gonadal tissues.     

Effects of PCBs sorbed to algal paste and sediments on the stress protein response (HSP70 family) in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica.

This study examined the stress protein response (HSP70 family) of reproductively inactive oysters fed 0.7 g algal paste containing 0, 0.35 and 3.5 micrograms polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) daily. A second set of treatment groups investigated the combined effect of PCBs and sediments (0.3 g sediments daily per oyster) on HSP70 response. After 8 weeks of PCB exposure, oyster tissues (mantle and gill) were sampled and analyzed for HSP70. Preliminary results did not show a significant effect in HSP70 response in oysters fed PCB sorbed to algal paste, albeit PCBs accumulated up to 1342 ng/g dry weight in the mantle, and up to 180 ng/g dry weight in gill tissues. However, the addition of sediments caused a significant increase in HSP70 levels of gills and mantle, although the mantle was less sensitive to the sediments.     

PCB uptake and accumulation by oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed via a contaminated algal diet

Reproductively active oysters were fed daily with 0.2 g algal paste containing 0, 0.1, and 1.0 μg polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (1:1:1 mixture of Aroclor 1242, 1254 and 1260) for either 15 or 30 days, and accumulation of PCBs in different organ tissues and eggs assessed. The effects of PCB exposure on lipid content, lipid class and fatty acid composition were also evaluated. PCBs were accumulated by the oysters and transferred to the eggs. PCB accumulation in oysters was dose, time and tissue dependent. Mean PCB contents were 3150, 1970, and 250 ng/g dry wt., respectively, in the visceral mass, gills+mantle and muscle of oysters fed algal paste containing 1.0 μg PCBs for 30 days. The PCBs in the eggs from the same oysters reached 671 ng PCBs/g dry wt. Feeding oysters with PCB-sorbed algal paste for 30 days significantly increased phospholipid and free fatty acid contents in gills+mantle tissues compared to the same tissues in the undosed control.     

PCB uptake and accumulation by oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed via a contaminated algal diet.

Reproductively active oysters were fed daily with 0.2 g algal paste containing 0, 0.1, and 1.0 microgram polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (1:1:1 mixture of Aroclor 1242, 1254 and 1260) for either 15 or 30 days, and accumulation of PCBs in different organ tissues and eggs assessed. The effects of PCB exposure on lipid content, lipid class and fatty acid composition were also evaluated. PCBs were accumulated by the oysters and transferred to the eggs. PCB accumulation in oysters was dose, time and tissue dependent. Mean PCB contents were 3150, 1970, and 250 ng/g dry wt., respectively, in the visceral mass, gills + mantle and muscle of oysters fed algal paste containing 1.0 microgram PCBs for 30 days. The PCBs in the eggs from the same oysters reached 671 ng PCBs/g dry wt. Feeding oysters with PCB-sorbed algal paste for 30 days significantly increased phospholipid and free fatty acid contents in gills + mantle tissue compared to the same tissues in the undosed control.     

Does PCB accumulation affect the lipid metabolism of the reproductively active oyster Crassostrea virginica?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pose a severe ecological risk. They are hydrophobic and are efficiently sequestered in lipid-rich tissues. Lipids function as energy reserves and as membrane components, and are essential for growth and reproductive processes in bivalves. Accumulation of PCBs may affect the mobilization of lipid reserves and membrane lipid composition; thus they may also impair reproductive and developmental processes. To test whether there are any changes in lipid metabolism, the lipid class and fatty acid composition in structural and reserve lipids of visceral mass, gills and mantle, and eggs of reproductively active oysters were examined. Oysters were fed daily with 0.2 g algal paste containing 0, 0.1, or 1.0 μg PCBs for 15 and 30 days. PCBs in the oyster tissues and eggs were also quantified. After 30 days of exposure PCBs were highly accumulated, up to 2635 ng/g in the visceral mass, 1880 ng/g in gill+mantle, and 671 ng/g (dry wt. bases). No significant changes were noted in either lipid class composition or fatty acid composition of structural or reserve lipids from PCB-exposed oyster tissues and eggs.     

Simultaneous exposure of English sole (Parophrys vetulus) to sediment-associated xenobiotics: Part 1—uptake and disposition of 14C-polychlorinated biphenyls and 3H-benzo[a]pyrene

English sole (Parophrys vetulus) were exposed to environmentally realistic levels of sediment-associated ³H-benzo[a]pyrene (3 μg BaP/g sediment, dry weight) and ¹⁴C-Aroclor 1254 (1 μg PCBs/g), separately and together, for up to 10 days. BaP and its metabolites in tissues reached steady-state concentrations by the first day of the exposure, whereas PCBs did not approach steady-state concentrations until the tenth day of exposure. Simultaneous exposure of sole to BaP and PCBs, relative to separate exposure to the xenobiotics, significantly increased the concentrations of BaP-derived radioactivity and decreased the concentrations of PCB-derived radioactivity in some tissues and bile. Accumulation of PCB-derived radioactivity, estimated as the burden in tissues, was significantly greater (4- to 13-fold) than that of BaP-derived radioactivity throughout the experiments and regardless of the type of exposure. The rank of the concentrations of PCB-derived radioactivity in tissues and bile was: bile ～ liver > brain > kidney ～ gill > skin ～ blood ～ muscle and for BaP-derived radioactivity the order was: bile > liver > gill > kidney > skin ～ blood > muscle > brain. BaP-derived radioactivity in liver and bile was present primary (85–99%) as metabolites, whereas PCB-derived radioactivity was present equally as parent compounds and metabolites in bile and primarily (98 %) as parent compounds in liver. Hydrolysis of bile from PCB/BaP-exposed sole with β-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase released 35 % of the BaP-derived radioactivity and 32 % of the PCB-derived radioactivity as primary metabolites. A much higher proportion of the BaP-derived radioactivity (64 %) than the PCB-derived radioactivity (13 %) in bile was unaffected by the enzyme treatment, indicating differences in the conjugation of the primary metabolites of PCBs and BaP. The results suggest that in contaminated environments the tissue to sediment concentration ratios for PCBs would exceed that for BaP and its metabolites; however, BaP would be continually absorbed and metabolized by sole to potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds. In addition, the tissue levels of these toxic compounds may be increased by simultaneous exposure to PCBs.     

中国海洋贻贝观察：华南沿海近江牡蛎(Crassostrea rivularis)体多氯联苯含量时空变化

根据近年观测和历史资料,分析了南海北部沿岸海域近江牡蛎样品中多氯联苯(PCBs)含量状况。气相色谱-电子捕获检测器测定结果显示:2006—2007年,南海北部沿岸海域近江牡蛎样品中PCBs残留量为0.003—0.253mg/kg(湿重),虽然没有超过国内外贝类卫生标准,也低于俄罗斯西部沿岸海域、英格兰梅斯河口和日本东京湾贻贝中的含量,但明显高于其它7个亚洲国家沿岸海域贻贝中的含量;牡蛎样品中PCBs含量表现出明显的空间差异,测站最高值(1243ng/g,干重)与最低值(82ng/g)相差15倍,在粤东沿岸海域(487ng/g)明显高于珠江口沿岸海域、粤西沿岸海域、海南岛沿岸海域和北部湾湾顶海域(分别为218、202、207和268ng/g)。2003—2007年,广东沿岸海域牡蛎样品中PCBs干重含量为30—2041ng/g,比1989—1991年的0.35—1.43ng/g明显增加,平均值171ng/g比1989—1991年的0.62ng/g增加近275倍,其区域分布格局在1989—1991年为珠江口沿岸海域>粤东沿岸海域和粤西沿岸海域,但近年来变为粤东沿岸海域>珠江口沿岸海域和粤西沿岸海域。     

不同长牡蛎群体对海水酸化的生理响应差异分析

海水酸化暴露可对海洋生物产生多层面的影响。本研究以潮间带野生与潮下带养殖长牡蛎(不同生境背景)的不同组织(鳃、外套膜及消化腺)为研究对象,分析在室内调控p CO2模拟海水酸化暴露条件下,其基础代谢活动、能量代谢以及氧化应激相关指标的变化情况。结果显示:海水酸化暴露后,两种长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)的基础代谢过程均受到了一定抑制作用且受影响程度差异明显。潮间带野生与潮下带养殖长牡蛎的关键生理过程(能量代谢及氧化应激)对海水酸化暴露存在不同的响应变化,表明两种长牡蛎应对海水酸化的调节机制可能存在差异。依据PLS-DA分析结果显示,在所有生理指标中,对样本的差异贡献较高(VIP值1)的指标为:SDH、AST、ATPase、ATP含量、糖原含量、CAT、GST及SOD,表明海水酸化暴露后,在两种长牡蛎的3种组织中上述指标的响应变化程度更大。综合评价分析多个生理指标的整体变化揭示:在海水酸化暴露条件下,潮间带野生长牡蛎比潮下带养殖长牡蛎对海水酸化的生理响应更为剧烈;相比于鳃及消化腺组织,长牡蛎外套膜组织可能受影响更大。     

Chronic exposure of Leptocheirus plumulosus to Baltimore Harbor sediment: bioenergetic and population-level effects

We investigated the long-term effects of contaminants in sediment from Baltimore Harbor, MD, USA, on a burrowing amphipod (Leptocheirus plumulosus) via a full life-cycle laboratory exposure. Contaminants in the Baltimore Harbor sediment included PAHs (10,800 ng/g), PCBs (152 ng/g), and heavy metals (including As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, and Zn). Exposures were initiated with neonate amphipods, placed in microcosms containing either contaminated or reference sediment, and were maintained for 42 days, allowing ample time for the initial cohort to mature and reproduce. At the end of the exposure period, the populations of amphipods were surveyed to ascertain the number and size of amphipods in each size class (neonate, juvenile, and adult), and bioenergetic measurements were performed on adults, including metabolic rate, lipid content, and fecundity. Contaminated sediment from Baltimore Harbor caused lower growth and reproductive rates; in Baltimore Harbor sediment, the average dry weight of amphipod offspring in each size class was significantly lower and there were less than one-third as many individuals in each size class, compared to reference sediment. By the end of the exposure, the total amphipod biomass in Baltimore Harbor sediment was less than one quarter of that in reference sediment. On average, gravid females in reference sediment produced at least twice as many viable offspring as those in contaminated sediment. Adult male amphipods in Baltimore Harbor sediment possessed significantly lower lipid concentrations. Lipid content in neonates also appeared to be negatively affected by parental exposure to contaminants. Metabolic rate was elevated in adult amphipods exposed to Baltimore Harbor sediment. Overall, the results suggest that contaminated sediment conditions in the urban estuary may chronically affect L. plumulosus by diverting energy from production to maintenance pathways, resulting in slower growth and reduced fecundity, and ultimately leading to retarded population growth rates. The results of this study reinforce the need for long-term toxicological exposures to reveal chronic effects.     

糖原含量与糖原磷酸化酶基因(GPH)和己糖激酶基因(HK)的表达在福建牡蛎生殖周期中的相关性分析

Glycogen, a polymer of glucose, is an important means of storing energy. It is degraded by glycogen phosphorylase (GPH) and hexokinase (HK), glycogen phosphorylase, and hexokinase cDNAs (Ca-GPH andCa-H...     

Survival, growth, metallothionein and glycogen levels of Nucella lapillus (L.) exposed to subchronic cadmium stress: the influence of nutritional state and prey type

Dogwhelks Nucella lapillus feed mainly on mussels and barnacles, and may experience periods of starvation. We report effects of nutritional state and prey type on the survival, growth, cadmium (Cd) accumulation, metallothionein (MT) induction and glycogen stores in N. lapillus exposed to Cd in water. Adult dogwhelks, with similar shell length (30.0+/-1.5 mm), were either starved or fed to satiation with barnacles Semibalanus balanoides, mussels Mytilus edulis or Cd-dosed M. edulis, and kept in filtered natural seawater (< 0.01 microg Cd 1(-1)) or Cd-contaminated (400 microg Cd 1(-1)) seawater for 80 days. Mortality and individual growth rate were determined. Cd, MT and glycogen were measured in different tissues. Prolonged starvation and exposure to Cd significantly reduced the survivorship of N. lapillus, but feeding could help dogwhelks to combat Cd toxicity and minimise mortality. Extended starvation also caused tissue wastage, leading to higher concentrations of Cd and MT in tissues, whereas fed animals increased in weight and had lower Cd and MT concentrations because of the tissue dilution effect. Prey type significantly affected growth rate of dogwhelks and indirectly influenced Cd accumulation, MT induction and glycogen stores. Eating mussels promoted better growth and higher glycogen reserves than eating barnacles. Individual growth rate decreased with increasing Cd accumulation. Cd-exposed survivors grew faster and consumed more than control animals, implying that these survivors may have better fitness and greater tolerance to Cd toxicity. The use of growth, condition index, MT and glycogen as biomarkers of environmental pollution are discussed. These results indicate a need to incorporate biological data including growth (or at least condition index) and prey type into biomonitoring programmes to allow sound interpretation.     

Determining the sensitive developmental stages of intersex induction in medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed to 17 beta-estradiol or testosterone.

Certain environmentally persistent compounds can adversely affect reproduction by acting as steroid hormone agonists or antagonists. The goal of the present study was to determine the developmental stage most susceptible to exogenous hormone (estradiol and testosterone) exposure using a small teleost model. In the first (pilot study) of two experiments, medaka (Oryzias latipes), at varying developmental stages, were bath-exposed to 5 micrograms/l 17 beta-estradiol for 24 h. At 5 months of age, fecundity, fertility and embryo and larval viability (reproductive success) were investigated in control and exposed groups. Fish at 1, 1.5, 2 and 5.5 months of age were also sampled, processed and examined histologically for gonadal alteration. No significant differences in mortality, gonadal morphology, body weight, sex-ratio or time to maturity were seen between control and exposed fish. At 5 months, however, when exposure groups were compared to controls, significant differences were seen in reproductive success and viability of offspring. A second experiment exposed embryo stage 10, and 1-, 7- and 21-day-old larvae for 6 days to 15 micrograms/l 17 beta-estradiol or 100 micrograms/l testosterone. No significant differences were seen at 5 months in mortality, body weight, or time to sexual maturity. However, sex-ratios were significantly biased toward female in the stage 10, 1- and 7-day post-hatch estradiol exposure groups. No significant changes in sex-ratio were associated with testosterone exposure at any developmental stage. Further, intersex gonads were observed in fish from all groups exposed to 15 micrograms/l estradiol. Only those fish exposed as newly hatched fry or at 1 week post-hatch displayed intersex gonads following 100 micrograms/l testosterone exposure. Data from these experiments show that newly hatched fry are that life stage most sensitive to hormone exposure and the most appropriate to use in determining effects of known endocrine-disrupting compounds.     

南海鸢乌贼中型群雄性个体肌肉和性腺组织能量积累及其分配

利用组织能量密度测定技术和残差指标分析方法, 分析了南海鸢乌贼中型群雄性个体肌肉组织和性腺组织的能量积累及其分配变化过程。结果显示, 胴体、尾鳍、足腕、精荚复合体、精巢等组织的能量密度值分别为21.16±1.44、21.98±1.51、21.44±1.50、20.83±1.70和21.41±1.70kJ?g ^-1。胴体和精荚复合体两组织的能量密度在不同性腺成熟度之间均存在显著性差异, 而尾鳍、足腕、精巢等3种组织的能量密度则在不同性腺成熟度之间均没有统计学差异。个体总能量积累为299.31±90.81kJ; 随着个体生长, 总能量积累呈现增加的趋势。胴体、足腕和尾鳍等肌肉组织的能量占比为95.31%~98.04%, 随着性腺发育呈现降低的趋势; 精巢和精荚复合体等性腺组织的能量总投入占比为2.63%~5.33%, 随着性腺发育呈增加的趋势, 并在Ⅴ期达到最大值。同时, 残差指标分析显示, 胴体、尾鳍、足腕等肌肉组织能量积累-胴长残差与性腺组织能量积累-胴长残差呈显著的正相关关系, 表明个体性腺发育过程中肌肉组织能量没有转化用于性腺组织的生长发育, 其生殖能量投入倾向于外源性投入。初步掌握了南海鸢乌贼中型群雄性个体肌肉和性腺组织能量的积累变化过程, 为深入了解它们的繁殖策略和为可持续开发利用该种类资源提供了科学基础。     

熊本牡蛎、葡萄牙牡蛎和长牡蛎组织菌群构成及功能的比较分析

为探究健康二龄熊本牡蛎、葡萄牙牡蛎和长牡蛎5种组织间细菌群落组成、多样性和功能的差异,本研究利用Illumina高通量测序技术和PICRUSt2对3种牡蛎5种组织中的细菌群落构成及其潜在功能进行了比较分析。结果显示,在3种牡蛎的5种组织中共鉴定到6 020个细菌OTUs,其中3种牡蛎整体间共有的OTUs数占42.4%。3种牡蛎5种组织中的优势菌主要隶属于γ-变形菌纲（γ-proteobacteria）、α-变形菌纲（α-proteobacteria）、柔壁菌门（Tenericutes）和厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）。弧菌属（Vibrio）在熊本牡蛎的鳃、外套膜、性腺和血淋巴中的相对丰度均显著高于长牡蛎和葡萄牙牡蛎,且分别在熊本牡蛎外套膜、长牡蛎性腺和葡萄牙牡蛎血淋巴中相对丰度最高,但均在3种牡蛎肝胰腺中相对丰度最低。3种牡蛎5种组织间的菌群多样性均有所差异,其中在熊本牡蛎鳃、葡萄牙牡蛎外套膜和长牡蛎血淋巴中菌群多样性最高,而在熊本牡蛎血淋巴、葡萄牙牡蛎性腺和长牡蛎肝胰腺中菌群多样性最低。在不区分组织的情况下,3种牡蛎整体间的菌群结构存在显著差异（r=0.661,p<0.001）。此外,在熊本牡蛎肝胰腺、葡萄牙牡蛎鳃和长牡蛎血淋巴中细菌参与的能量代谢相关功能通路的相关丰度显著高于对应牡蛎的其他组织。本文结果表明,熊本牡蛎、葡萄牙牡蛎和长牡蛎组织内的菌群构成存在差异,且由细菌介导的功能也随牡蛎种类和组织类型发生改变。     

Evaluation of non-specific immune functions in dab,Limanda limanda L., following short-term exposure to sediments contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons and/or polychlorinated biphenyls

Experimental exposure tanks were set up containing 'clean' marine sediment spiked with set doses of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), or both. Reference tanks contained only 'clean' sediment. Female dab Limanda limanda L., exposed to these sediments for 7 days showed no differences in serum total protein concentration, serum lysozyme activity or body growth. Their kidney leucocytes were assayed for extracellular production of reactive oxygen species of the phagocytic respiratory burst. No significant differences in superoxide anion (O2-) production were found between fish exposed to the 'spiked' sediments and those on the 'clean' reference sediment. The production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was, however, reduced in the fish held on the PAH and PAH/PCB spiked sediments. H2O2 levels for fish exposed to PCBs alone, did not differ significantly from those of control fish. Our results suggest that the decrease in H2O2 production was due to exposure to PAHs, rather than to PCBs.     

Cloning a new cytochrome P450 isoform (CYP356A1) from oyster Crassostrea gigas

We have cloned the full-length cDNA of the first member of a new cytochrome P450 (CYP) family from the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. This new CYP gene was obtained based on an initial 331bp fragment previously identified among the list of the differentially expressed genes in oysters exposed to untreated domestic sewage. The full-length CYP has an open reading frame of 1500bp and based on its deduced amino acid sequence was classified as a member of a new subfamily, CYP356A1. A phylogenetic analysis showed that CYP356A1 is closely related to members of the CYP17 and CYP1 subfamilies. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was performed to analyze the CYP356A1 expression in different tissues of the oyster (digestive gland, gill, mantle and adductor muscle). Results showed slightly higher CYP356A1 expression in digestive gland and mantle, than the other tissues, indicating a possible role of the CYP356A1 in xenobiotic biotransformation and/or steroid metabolism.     

Bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in prawns and a mud crab from mixed-aquaculture ponds

The bioaccumulation of ten polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners was investigated within different tissues in three prawns (Penaeusorientalis Kishinouce, Laomedia astacina de Haan and Penaeus vannamei Boone) and one mud crab (Scylla serrata Forsskal) from mixed-aquaculture ponds in Taizhou in April 2007. The average concentrations (wet mass) of Σ PCBs in muscle, head, and rind tissues for mean among these prawn species were 7.04, 21.16, and 11.47 ng/g, respectively. The average concentrations of Σ PCBs in muscle, branchia, and spawn in Scylla serrata were 6.49, 21.13, and 19.76 ng/g, respectively. The concentrations of CB28 were the highest in prawn tissues (2.40 ng/g), and accounted for 18.60% of Σ PCBs. The concentration of CB52 was the lowest. The application of principal component analysis (PCA) for the estimation of PCB sources of contamination resulted in first component main contributions of CB101, CB153 and CB28 in the muscle, head, and rind in combined prawn samples, respectively. The enrichment level of Σ PCBs for different tissues varied greatly. The accumulation coefficient of Σ PCBs in prawn muscle, head, and rind tissues were 396.35, 1 191.79, and 645.91, respectively. For the Scylla serrata, the accumulation coefficients were 365.81, 1 190.50, and 1 113.31 for muscle, branchia, and spawn tissues, respectively. For prawns, the accumulation coefficient of CB153 was the highest in muscle tissues, while CB155 had the highest coefficients in the head and rind tissues. The CB155 coefficient was the highest in spawn tissues of the mud crab.     

Cellular responses and disease expression in oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed to suspended field contaminated sediments.

Exposure of oysters to water soluble fractions derived from field-contaminated sediments (FCS) containing predominantly lower molecular weight organic aromatic compounds, has been previously demonstrated to enhance pre-existing infections caused by the protozoan parasite, Perkinsus marinus (Dermo), and the prevalence of experimentally induced infections. To further explore the role of pollution on the onset and progression of disease, effects of suspended FCS from an estuarine creek in Virginia, USA, dominated by higher molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on cellular responses and Dermo disease expression in oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were examined. Sediments were collected from a PAH polluted estuarine creek in Virginia, USA. To test effects on cellular response, oysters from Maine were exposed daily to 0, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 g suspended FCS (corresponding to 0, 70.2, 105, or 140 microg PAHs, respectively) for 5, 10, 20, and 40 days. Hemocyte activities and plasma lipid, protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were then measured. Exposure stimulated neutral red uptake, MTT reduction, and 3H-leucine incorporation in oyster hemocytes at various exposure times, but did not affect the plasma protein, lipid and LDH levels. To test effects on Dermo expression, oysters from a Dermo enzootic area, with an initial estimated infection prevalence of 39%, were exposed daily to 0, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 g suspended FCS (corresponding to 0, 75.0, 113, or 150 microg PAHs, respectively) for 30 days. Exposure enhanced disease expression in oysters. However, no significant change was noted in any measured cellular or humoral parameters.     

二倍体和三倍体太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)繁殖前后生化成分及氨基酸组成的比较研究

对太平洋蛎二倍体和三倍体在繁殖前后的几种生化成分和氨基酸组成进行了比较研究，为牡蛎的生理生化研究提供了基础数据。结果显示：太平洋牡蛎的总糖，糖原，脂肪和蛋白的含量与其繁密切相关，二倍体牡蛎在繁殖后的总糖，糖原，脂肪的含量比繁殖前分别降低了24．31％，30．37％，14．91％，三倍体分别降低了9．45％，7．17％，20．29％，而二倍体和三倍体牡蛎粗蛋白的含量在繁殖后较繁殖前分别增高了14．91％，12．285，表明了糖类和脂肪是牡蛎殖能量的主要来源，繁殖前三倍体牡蛎的糖原含量比二倍体高23．30％，繁殖后二倍体糖原含量明显降低，三倍体的糖原含量比二倍体高了73．83％，表明三倍体牡蛎由于可育性低而体内一直保持较高水平的糖原含量，从而在繁殖季节也保持了鲜美的口味。二倍体太平洋牡蛎与三倍体的氨基酸组成和含量的分析比较也表明，二倍体牡蛎的氨基酸组分在繁殖前后变化较大，而三倍体的氨基酸组分相对稳定。     

Comparative histopathological effects of chemically contaminated sediment on marine organisms

Comparative pathological effects in three species of fish and six species of invertebrates were investigated using a chemically contaminated sediment from Black Rock Harbor (BRH), Connecticut, USA. Substances contained in BRH sediment are known to be genotoxic, carcinogenic, co-carcinogenic and tumor-promoting. Proliferative lesions were observed in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) external, oral and esophageal epithelial surfaces, renal vascular and nephroblastic elements, and the pancreatic islets. Islet lesions included cystic adenomas and a diffuse islet proliferative condition, nesidioblastosis. In addition, pathology was enhanced when winter flounder were fed mussels (Mytilus edulis) previously exposed to BRH sediment. Neoplastic lesions developed in kidney tubule epithelia, gills, some regions of the gastrointestinal tract, neural elements and heart of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed to BRH sediment for 30 days in the laboratory. In addition, renal carcinomas in three oysters had metastasized to the viseral ganglion. Lesions were also found in oysters exposed in situ in BRH and Long Island Sound for 30 or 36 days. Digestive diverticula, gills and kidneys appeared to be the prime organs affected in mussels, soft-shelled clams (Mya arenaria) and oysters exposed to BRH sediment. Mucous cell activity increased greatly in corals (Astrangia densa) while no microscopic lesions were detectable in lobster (Homarus americanus) exposed in the laboratory. Myxomas were also found in the hearts of < 5% of the mussels exposed in the laboratory.