Vitamin E co-treatment reduces Aroclor 1254-induced impairment of reproductive neuroendocrine function in Atlantic croaker

We have shown previously that exposure of Atlantic croaker to a PCB mixture (Aroclor 1254) results in impaired reproductive neuroendocrine function. In addition, we have identified hypothalamic tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) synthesis, as a target of PCB neuroendocrine toxicity. In order to further elucidate the mechanisms of PCB neurotoxicity, the present study investigated whether PCB-induced decrease in hypothalamic TPH activity resulted from degradation of the enzyme protein. Fish were exposed to Aroclor 1254 in the diet (0.1 mg/100 g body weight (BW)/day) for 30 days. The PCB exposure elicited a significant decrease in hypothalamic TPH protein content, which could be at least partially responsible for the reduced TPH activity. To test whether a similar PCB exposure could cause oxidative damage in croaker hypothalamic tissues, we examined the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) protein adducts as a marker of lipid peroxidation (LPO). The same dose of PCB increased the MDA-protein adduct formation in the hypothalamus. In a separate experiment, the role of vitamin E, an antioxidant, to prevent or decrease the effect of PCB on hypothalamic TPH activity and gonadal growth was examined. The vitamin E co-treatments (1 and 10 mg/100 g BW/day) with PCB significantly reduced the effects of PCB on TPH activity and gonadal growth. These results suggest possible involvement of oxidative processes in PCB neurotoxicity.     

Disruption of neuroendocrine function in atlantic croaker exposed to Aroclor 1254

To investigate the effects of a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture (Aroclor 1254) on reproductive neuroendocrine function, male Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) were exposed to the PCB mixture in the diet (0.1 mg/100. g body wt/day) for 30 days during gonadal recrudescence. Concentrations of the monoamines (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE)) and their major metabolites (5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 3-methoxytyramine) were measured in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus (POAH) and medial and posterior hypothalamus (MPH) using HPLC with electrochemical detection. There was a significant decline in 5-HT and DA concentrations and an increase in their metabolite to parent amine ratios in both the POAH and MPH of Aroclor 1254-exposed fish. In addition, Aroclor 1254 exposure resulted in the loss of the in vitro gonadotropin (GtH) response to stimulation by a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog (LHRHa). The reduced availability of 5-HT in the nerve terminals may be responsible for the loss of pituitary GtH response to stimulation by LHRHa. These results support the hypothesis that Aroclor 1254-induced alterations in pituitary gonadotropin release may be mediated, at least partially, by altered hypothalamic serotonergic activity.     

Reproductive endocrine function in female atlantic croaker exposed to pollutants

To examine whether xenobiotics impair teleost reproduction by altering reproductive endocrine function, steroid hormone secretion and ovarian growth were investigated in female Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) after chronic oral administration with sublethal doses of three classes of reproductive toxins (lead, benzo[a]pyrene and Aroclor 1254). All the sublethal treatments significantly impaired ovarian growth as assessed by the gonadosomatic index. Reduced ovarian growth was accompanied by a significant decline in circulating 17β-estradiol levels in fish exposed to lead and benzo[a]pyrene. All three toxicants significantly decreased plasma testosterone levels. However, the steroidogenic capacity of ovarian tissue in vitro was not altered by xenobiotic exposure. The data suggest that the decreased ovarian growth in croaker after pollutant exposure may be a consequence of the decline in plasma 17β-estradiol levels. Further, this decrease in circulating levels of gonadal steroids does not appear to be caused by a direct effect of the chemicals on ovarian steroid synthesis.     

Effects of Aroclor 1254 on reproductive organ weight, sperm quality and testicular mitochondria oxidative stress of Boleophthalmus pectinirostris

Boleophthalmus pectinirostris is an amphibious economic fish and wildly distributed in the southeast coast of China. In this study, Aroclor 1254 was intraperitoneally injected into B. pectinirostris with 1, 2 and 4 μg/(g·d) for 28 d to assay the reproductive organ weight, the sperm quality (sperm concentration and motility), and the testicular mitochondrial testicular mitochondria oxidative stress. The results show that the sperm number and motility in seminal vesicles, the absolute weight of testes and seminal vesicles of B. pectinirostris treated with 2 and 4 μg/(g·d) Aroclor 1254 decreased significantly as compared to the controls (p <0.05), while those treated with 1 μg/(g·d) Aroclor 1254 had no significant effects on these indictors. For the relative weight of reproductive organs, significant reduction (p <0.05) was only observed in the seminal vesicles of B. pectinirostris treated with 4 μg/(g·d). SOD activities and GSH levels in all the Aroclor 1254 treatments were significantly lower than those of the controls (p <0.05). The activities of CAT, GPx, GR and the levels of Vit C also decreased significantly in comparison with the controls (p <0.05) at the higher dose of 2 and 4 μg/(g·d) Aroclor 1254 treatments. In addition, both H₂O₂ level and MDA content in testicular mitochondria of B. pectinirostris had a close correlation with Aroclor 1254 dosage, and were significantly higher than the controls (p <0.05). Those indicate that Aroclor 1254 can induce the oxidative stress of testicular mitochondria, and impair the reproductive function of male B. pectinirostris.     

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.     

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.     

鲈鱼脑垂体促性腺激素分泌细胞与性腺发育的关系

用Ｈｅｉｄｅｎｈａｉｎ－Ａｚａｎ三色法、Ｃａｎｅｒｏｎ Ｓｔｅｅｌｅ法和ＰＡＰ免疫细胞化学技术,对鲈鱼脑垂体促朱激素（ＧＴＨ）分泌细胞进行定位,然后确定该细胞发育成熟性腺发育之间的相互关系。可为人工培育鲈鱼亲鱼时,适时用外源性激素诱发其性腺提早成熟,提供科学依据。     

Induction of DNA strand breakage and apoptosis in the eel Anguilla anguilla

The ability of benzo[a]pyrene, Aroclor 1254, 2-3-7-8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and beta-naphthoflavone to induce DNA strand breaks (SB) and apoptosis in erythrocytes of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) was investigated following by in vivo exposure. DNA damage was evaluated by the Comet assay, while the diffusion assay was used to investigate the induction of apoptosis 7 days after a single intraperitoneal administration. 2-3-7-8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin induced the highest genotoxic effect, followed by benzo[a]pyrene, while the other two substances had limited effects. A significant induction of apoptosis was observed at the highest doses after exposure to benzo[a]pyrene, when DNA damage was also elevated. The occurrence of apoptotic cells after exposure to Aroclor, 2-3-7-8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and beta-naphthoflavone was quite variable and did not show clear dose-related responses. The role of oxidative stress in mediating DNA damage was also discussed.     

Regulation of hepatic glutathione S-transferase expression in flounder

The major glutathione S-transferase isoform of flounder liver, an antigenically related structural homologue of plaice GST-A, also displays mRNA homology. A 901bp cRNA probe for plaice GST-A cross-hybridised to a 1100bp flounder mRNA on northern blot analysis. The plaice antibody and cRNA probes were used to study effects of inducer treatment on GST-A expression in flounder liver. Six days after PAH treatment (3-methylcholanthrene) total hepatic GST activity was halved, levels of GST-A were 80% and GST-A mRNA levels were 25% of controls. A commercial PCB mixture (Aroclor 1254^TM) had little effect on total GST or GST-A levels despite halving GST-A mRNA levels. An epoxide, trans-stilbene oxide induced total GST activity 1·4 fold and GST-A protein levels 1·8-fold and its mRNA levels 3-fold. This reduced expression of the major flounder hepatic GST by agents which induce cytochrome P4501A1 may modulate cytoxicity of environmental pollutants in this species.     

Resistance may be an important mechanism by which marine microbes respond to environmental toxicants

The hypothesis, that at least certain marine microbial organisms respond to toxic stress by the development of resistance, was tested using the hypotric marine ciliate Euplotes vannus Muller as the test organism. Resistance to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB, Aroclor 1254) was developed in E. vannus by exposing the animals to progressively higher PCB concentrations during a period of several months. The resistance to PCB persisted for at least 80 days (greater than 40 generations) after final exposure. This suggests either that genetic selection or persistent (lasting over many cell division cycles) phenotypic trait modification, possibly in the form of Dauermodification, had occurred. If resistance were widespread among marine microbial organisms in polluted environments it would be an important consideration in evaluating the long-term biological impact of both natural and man-induced chemical stress.     

Metabolism of perylene by monooxygenases of the skin and liver of Ambystoma tigrinum

The prevalence of dermal neoplasia among neotenic tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) collected from the Reese Air Force Base sewage lagoon far exceeded that among salamanders from nearby uncontaminated lagoons. Perylene was the predominant pglycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminant in this lagoon. Perylene was shown to be a substrate for monooxygenases in skin and liver homogenates and formed DNA-binding metabolites. Perylene exposure appeared to augment subsequent perylene metabolism by dermal enzymes but it was not a strong inducer of hepatic monooxygenases. Aroclor 1254 induced benzo(a)pyrene and perylene metabolism by both skin and liver enzymes. However, perylene apparently was not activated by salamander enzymes, as suggested by its lack of in vitro mutagenicity and failure to induce tumors.     

Factors affecting the elimination of PCBs in the marine copepod Acartia tonsa

The effects of feeding, egg laying, and fecal pellet production on the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the marine copepod Acartia tonsa were studied in a series of experiments. Copepods were exposed to ¹⁴C-labelled Aroclor 1254 and allowed to depurate in clean seawater. Copepods fed during depuration eliminated PCBs more rapidly than unfed copepods whether or not the original PCB exposure medium had contained food. Both eggs and fecal pellets contained PCBs during depuration, with the weight specific concentration of PCB in the eggs (up to 407 ppm, dry weight) exceeding four times that in the females that produced them. Female copepods eliminated PCBs twice as rapidly as males, indicating that egg production is an important route for PCB elimination.     

皱瘤海鞘神经递质和性类固醇激素含量与性腺发育成熟的关系

运用免疫组织化学和化学发光免疫分析方法研究了皱瘤海鞘(Styela plicata)神经递质多巴胺(DA)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)及其受体以及性类固醇激素含量与性腺发育成熟的关系.结果显示,DA和5-HT免疫活性定位在脑神经节中大小2种类型的神经细胞,DA免疫活性还定位在不同发育时期神经腺上皮细胞.5-HT受体免疫活性存在于脑神经节小型神经细胞和大生长期神经腺上皮细胞.在小生长期和大生长期性腺中均检测到DA、5-HT及其受体,提示DA和5-HT可能参与调节皱瘤海鞘的性腺发育.皱瘤海鞘为雌雄同体,化学发光免疫分析证实,海鞘性腺能够合成和分泌性类固醇激素,大生长期性腺中雄激素、孕激素和雌激素的含量分别为25.8±0.0、38.9±0.2和14.3±0.6pg/mg,提示性腺既是生殖组织也是内分泌组织.上述发现为证明尾索类海鞘可能像头索类文昌鱼一样,具有原始的生殖内分泌调控轴(脑神经节-神经腺-性腺)提供科学依据.     

外源神经递质5-羟色胺(5-HT)和多巴胺(DA)调控三疣梭子蟹争斗行为的初步研究

影响甲壳类动物争斗行为的因素包括性别差异、体型和生殖状态等,神经递质对甲壳动物的争斗行为也具有调控作用。为探索三疣梭子蟹在养殖和繁殖过程中由于争斗行为受损或死亡的行为机制,采用双抗体夹心法测定争斗前后三疣梭子蟹血淋巴中5-HT和DA的含量,并分析了争斗前后肌肉、胸神经节、肝胰腺三种组织中5-HT和DA受体基因表达量变化。同时,通过注射外源5-HT和DA,记录并分析了三疣梭子蟹争斗行为差异以及三种组织中5-HT和DA受体基因表达量变化。结果表明:(1)争斗后三疣梭子蟹血淋巴中5-HT含量显著升高,DA含量显著降低(P<0.05);(2)注射10^–6 mol5-HT能显著减少三疣梭子蟹的争斗行为发生次数以及争斗持续时间(P<0.05),而注射10^–6 molDA却能够显著增加三疣梭子蟹的争斗行为发生次数和争斗持续时间(P<0.05);(3)争斗前后5-HT和DA受体在肌肉和胸神经节中表达量发生显著变化(P<0.05),且不同受体在相同组织中未呈现相同的变化趋势;(4)注射外源DA能够调节5-HT1B、5-HT2B、5-H...     

日本囊对虾(Marsupenaeus japonicus)视神经节、脑和胸神经节5-羟色胺的定位研究

采用兔抗5-羟色胺抗体和SABC免疫细胞化学方法,对日本囊对虾视神经节、脑和胸神经节进行定位研究。结果表明,视神经节内的5-羟色胺免疫阳性细胞分布于视外髓、视内髓和视端髓。前脑前中群,前脑中部前端神经髓质、中央体,中脑嗅叶内侧细胞群,后脑后中群、侧位群和后侧群呈5-羟色胺免疫阳性反应。胸神经节5-羟色胺阳性细胞较少,第4对胸神经节检出1对阳性细胞,第5对胸神经节检出2对阳性细胞,神经髓质不呈阳性反应。5-羟色胺的特异性分布,为日本囊对虾体内的生理功能和甲壳动物腹神经索演化提供了形态学依据。     

波浪作用下沉积物中总石油烃的迁移释放规律

海底石油管线泄漏可能导致海床内部形成高浓度石油污染。在波浪作用下,海床沉积物易发生再悬浮甚至液化失稳现象,进而导致海床内部石油类污染物通过多种途径向水体再次释放并在土体内部发生迁移,造成更大范围的石油扩散。本研究以总石油烃（Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon,TPH）设为代表性污染物,将污染泥浆以椭球状埋设在沉积物内部,采用波浪水槽试验研究不同强度波浪作用下TPH向上覆水体的释放规律及在沉积物内部的迁移规律。结果表明,在沉积物静置固结阶段前期,TPH随孔隙水由沉积物向上覆水体迁移释放,固结阶段前期TPH向上覆水体的释放量高于后期。在波浪作用未引起沉积物液化阶段,波浪促进石油类污染物向水体释放的作用较弱,由于悬浮泥沙对石油类污染物的吸附作用,水体中石油类污染物的浓度略低于静置固结阶段。在波浪作用引起沉积物液化阶段,随着悬浮泥沙浓度升高,TPH向上覆水体释放量加大;TPH在沉积物内部垂向迁移及平面扩散迁移距离加大,平面迁移距离大于垂向迁移距离,垂向扩散深度与液化深度基本一致,污染土体体积占比约为土体未液化时的3倍。     

Development of two novel CYP-antibodies and their use in a PCB exposure experiment with Mytilus edulis

In an attempt to learn more about the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system of mussels, we used protein databases and alignment software to extract highly conserved CYP sequences. From these alignments synthetic peptides were produced and used for rabbit immunisation, which yielded polyclonal antibodies against the CYP families 2 and 4. The antibodies were evaluated with Western Blot and ELISA assays, using digestive gland microsomal samples from the mussel Mytilus edulis. Western Blots revealed immunoreactions for both antibodies. The anti-CYP2 sequence rendered one major immunopositive protein of approximately 49 kDa size, and weak signals for proteins of approximately 41 and 56 kDa size. The anti-CYP4 sequence rendered two major bands of approximately 56 and 59 kDa size, and also a weak immunoreaction with a protein of approximately 43 kDa size. ELISA rendered only weak signals even with a 1:50 dilution of IgG-purified serum. A 10-day exposure to Aroclor 1254 did not appear to affect any of the immunopositive proteins, while total PCBs in soft bodies increased from 14-40 ng/g DW in controls to 373-638 ng/g DW in exposed mussels.     

Responses of macrobenthic communities to patchy distributions of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments:A study in China's Zhoushan Archipelago

This study conducted four cruises during 2014–2017 to investigate relationships between macrobenthic communities and sediment contaminations in sea area around the Zhoushan Archipelago. Fourteen sites were categorized into three groups: high total heavy metal contamination content(HHMC), high total petroleum hydrocarbon content(HTPH), and low content ratio of heavy metal contamination content to total petroleum hydrocarbon content(HMC/TPH) areas. Four main taxa of macrofauna(polychaetes, bivalves, gastropods, and crustaceans) were determined to respond to environmental factors differently. While tolerant polychaetes being the minimal impact by environmental factors, bivalves were threated by heavy metal pollutions in sediment.Additionally, body size distribution frequency demonstrated that macrofauna in the low HMC/TPH areas were less disturbed by contamination than those in the HHMC and HTPH areas. The result represented the presentation of sensitive species while tolerant species are usually considered as small size organisms. Overall,this study confirmed the hypothesis that the contamination levels of small-scale patches is indicated by the condition of macrobenthic communities.     

Transport and accumulation of organochlorines in the ovaries of Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)

The role of vitellogenin in the transport of organochlorines was investigated in Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) by exposing them through the diet to o,p′-DDT at a concentration of 10.8 μg/100 g fish/day for 14 days or Aroclor 1254 (PCB) at a concentration of 0.5 mg/100 g fish/day for 30 days during gonadal recrudescence. Tissue samples were taken from the fish at various times after initial exposure, and o,p′-DDT and PCBs were extracted in acetonitrile and analyzed by gas chromatography. Analysis of the ovarian tissue collected 2 and 3 weeks from the start of exposure revealed that the o,p′-DDT concentration increases as the gonadosomatic index (GSI) increases (r² = 0.63), with accumulation ranging from less than 1% to as much as 8% of the total dosage. Interestingly, o,p′-DDT did not accumulate in the testes during the same exposure period. Accumulation of PCBs was found to be 40 times higher in the ovaries than in the testes. Gel filtration of plasma from exposed females showed that o,p′-DDT elutes in the low density lipoprotein and vitellogenin fractions. Control plasma incubated with o,p′-DDT at 4 °C for 16 h followed by chromatography on Sepharose 6B gave similar results with an o,p′-DDT concentration of 0.6μg/mg protein in the vitellogenin fraction. Furthermore, both o,p′-DDT and PCBs were found to bind to purified croaker vitellogenin. These results suggest that lipoproteins, including vitellogenin, are involved in the transport and accumulation of organochlorines in the ovaries of exposed fish.