Characterization of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) sperm morphology and their motility prior to and after spawning

Evaluation of DNA damage induced by decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in hemocytes of Dreissena polymorpha using the comet and micronucleus assays

The recent widespread production and use of flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), is one of the reason of the increasing contamination observed worldwide. At the present, deca-BDE mixture, in which the decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is the major congener (98%), dominates the EU market. The potential genotoxicity of BDE-209 was examined in the freshwater bivalve zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) by means of Comet assay and micronucleus assay (MN assay). Mussels were exposed in vivo to BDE-209 at nominal concentration of 0.1, 2, and 10 mug/l under laboratory conditions. The assays were performed on the bivalve hemocytes monitoring the levels of DNA strand breaks and the percentage of micronuclei until 168 and 96 hr of exposure, respectively. At the same time, BDE-209 levels were measured daily in mussel soft tissues to evaluate the bioaccumulation. Results of the Comet assay showed a significant increase of DNA damages compared to controls, but a lack of dose/effect relationship probably due to the formation of less-brominated congeners. By contrast, no significant changes in MN frequency from baseline levels were observed. These preliminary results about the potential genotoxicity of this compound in invertebrates indicated a clear BDE-209 capability to induce DNA damage, but no irreversible effects on DNA hemocytes. Furthermore, bioaccumulation of this high-molecular-weight substance and its uptake mechanism in zebra mussel are also discussed.

Sperm incorporation and pronuclear development during fertilization in the freshwater bivalveDreissena polymorpha

The invasive zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (D. polymorpha), is proving to be a valuable model for understanding general mechanisms of fertilization, particularly regarding sperm incorporation. In the present study, we tracked the various components of the fertilizing sperm of D. polymorpha during sperm incorporation. During fertilization the sperm membrane remains associated with the egg surface as a distinct patch that disperses over time. This patch marked the site of sperm entry that occurs predominately on the CD blastomere. Taking advantage of the relatively unpigmented cytoplasm, real-time observations were made of the incorporated sperm nucleus as it decondensed and reformed as a developing pronucleus. Pronuclear enlargement occurred progressively and at rates comparable with previously reported fixed-time point observations. Sperm mitochondria were incorporated and separated from the sperm along the leading edge of the decondensing nucleus. Sperm mitochondria labeled with Mitotracker Green remained predominately associated with the CD blastomere following first cleavage and could be tracked to the 16-cell stage before the fluorescence was too faint to detect. Additionally, the demembranated sperm axoneme was incorporated, separated during nuclear decondensation, and remained visible in the egg cytoplasm up to 30 min postinsemination (PI). The present study provides one of the most complete descriptions of incorporation on multiple sperm components into the egg and coordinates fixed-time point observations with real-time observations of sperm within the remarkably transparent egg cytoplasm of zebra mussels.

Mussel MAP, a major gonad-duct esterase-like protein, is released into sea water as a dual constituent of the seminal fluid and the spermatozoon

Our interest in the comparative analysis of male reproductive-tract esterases in different animal groups has led us to undertake a detailed study of the Mytilus galloprovincialis male-associated polypeptide (MAP) throughout the mussel gonad-duct tract and at spawning. The results of this work indicate that MAP is a major protein in M. galloprovincialis semen, with dual presence in both sperm cells and cell-free seminal fluid. Shortly after spawning, the released sperm mass is subdivided in diffused cloudy-like and thread-shaped 'clots', in which a soluble-phase MAP may persist as long as the clots keep their compact form. Additional experiments involving the incubation of spawned spermatozoa at increasing Triton X-100 concentrations demonstrated that MAP is also strongly associated with sperm cells. These results were further validated by immunofluorescent staining, which revealed that MAP is localized in the mid-piece region of spawned spermatozoa. This unexpected finding raises the possibility that MAP may play a role in sperm fertility in bivalves. Using whole-mount histology and micromanipulation techniques, we studied the structural patterning of the mantle gonad-duct network and assessed the sampling of luminal contents from the ducts. Of particular interest is the observation that MAP content in the luminal fluid increases from the lumen of the spermatogenic tubules to that of the collecting gonad ducts, where MAP is detected at a very high concentration. These high levels may lead to a significant presence of MAP in semen and consequently to a prolonged survival of sperm spawned at sea. In addition, data related to the potential structural similarity between mussel MAP and esterase S of the Drosophila virilis ejaculatory bulb are presented and discussed. Finally, we show that the 64kDa protein of human semen reveals positive cross-reactivity with antibodies directed against Mytilus MAP and Drosophila esterase S. Taken together, the results reveal mussel MAP as the only esterase-like protein described so far whose distribution in the gonad and semen can be specifically associated with maturation, transport, emission and survival of spermatozoa outside.

Tricyclic antidepressants suppress spawning and fertilization in the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), which are psychotropic drugs that work in vertebrates by interfering with serotonergic mechanisms, were tested for their effects on the serotonin-elicited spawning behavior of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha. Exposure of mussels to 10(-4) M imipramine or desipramine for 2 hr prior to serotonin treatment inhibited spawning in male, but not female, zebra mussels (p < 0.05). Clomipramine (10(-4) M) inhibited spawning of both sexes (p < 0.01). Inhibition of spawning was more effective with 2 hr preexposure time than with shorter times (p < 0.0001). Oocytes released in the presence of TCAs had a normal appearance, with no germinal vesicle present; however, fertilization and embryonic development were adversely affected in oocytes released into TCA concentrations as low as 10(-6) M. Oocytes fertilized after TCA treatment rarely developed normally. This is the first report of an inhibitory effect of TCAs on spawning, fertilization, and early embryonic development in any animal. The concentrations that affect embryonic development in zebra mussels are in the same range as therapeutic plasma concentrations in humans.