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Biswas C, Adhikari M, Pramanick K. Toxicological effects of nodularin on the reproductive endocrine system of female zebrafish (Danio rerio). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 273:107000. [PMID: 38875953 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.107000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Nodularin is a potent cyanotoxin that has been detected in aquatic environments as well as in the body of aquatic organisms throughout the world, but its effects on the reproductive system are yet to be explored. The present study investigated the toxic effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of nodularin on the reproductive endocrine system of female zebrafish (Danio rerio). After exposure to nodularin for 14 days, decreased gonadosomatic Index (GSI), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), and decreased level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17β-estradiol (E2) level and increased testosterone (T) content in female zebrafish suggested that nodularin may disrupt both oocyte growth and maturation. In support of this data, alteration in different marker gene expression on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-liver (HPGL) axis was observed. Transcriptional levels of genes related to steroidogenesis including cytochrome P450 aromatase (cyp19a1a) in the ovary and primary vitellogenin genes (vtg1, vtg2, and vtg3) in the liver were down-regulated and marker genes for oxidative stress (sod, cat, and gpx) were up-regulated on HPGL axis. These findings revealed for the first time that nodularin is a potent endocrine-disrupting compound posing oxidative stress and causes reproductive endocrine toxicity in female zebrafish, emphasizing the importance of assessing its environmental risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayan Biswas
- Integrative Biology Research Unit (IBRU), Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Madhuchhanda Adhikari
- Integrative Biology Research Unit (IBRU), Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Kousik Pramanick
- Integrative Biology Research Unit (IBRU), Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India.
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Li H, Kang S, Gu X, Yang H, Chen H, Mao Z, Zeng Q, Chen Y, Wang W, Gong C. The toxicological effects of life-cycle exposure to harmful benthic cyanobacteria Oscillatoria on zebrafish growth and reproduction: A comparative study with planktonic Microcystis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169302. [PMID: 38104816 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The risks of planktonic cyanobacteria blooms have been the focus of much scientific research, but studies on the ecotoxicological effects of benthic cyanobacteria are lagging. The impacts of cyanobacteria cells on fish populations might be more complex in contrast to purified cyanotoxins or cyanobacteria extracts. This study systematically compared the chronic effects of benthic Oscillatoria sp. (producing cylindrospermopsins) and planktonic Microcystis aeruginosa (producing microcystins) on the growth and reproduction of zebrafish through life-cycle exposure (5- 90 days post fertilization). The results showed that both Oscillatoria sp. and M. aeruginosa exposure caused growth inhibition and fecundity reduction in F0 generation by disrupting sex hormone levels, delayed ovarian and sperm development, and induced pathological lesions in zebrafish gonads. Furthermore, exposure to Oscillatoria sp. or M. aeruginosa in adult zebrafish increased mortality and teratogenicity in F1 embryos (without exposure), indicating a parental transmission effect of developmental toxicity. The difference was that M. aeruginosa exposure led to significant alterations in pathways, such as tissue development, redox processes, and steroid hormone synthesis. In contrast, Oscillatoria sp. exposure primarily disrupted the PPAR signaling pathway, cell adhesion molecules, and lipid transport pathways. Interestingly, the differentially expressed genes revealed that male fish were more sensitive to harmful cyanobacteria than females, whether exposed to Oscillatoria sp. or M. aeruginosa. These findings contribute to a better mechanistic understanding of the chronic toxic effects of distinct types of harmful cyanobacteria, suggesting that the ecological risk of benthic cyanobacteria requires further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmin Li
- School of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao 276826, China
| | - Siqi Kang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao 276826, China
| | - Xiaohong Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Huiting Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huihui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhigang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Qingfei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yanfeng Chen
- School of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao 276826, China
| | - Wenxia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China
| | - Chen Gong
- School of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao 276826, China
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de Sabóia-Morais SMT, de Lima Faria JM, da Silva Rabelo JC, Hanusch AL, Mesquita LA, de Andrade Silva R, de Oliveira JM, de Jesus LWO. Cylindrospermopsin exposure promotes redox unbalance and tissue damage in the liver of Poecilia reticulata, a neotropical fish species. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2024; 87:120-132. [PMID: 37969104 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2023.2282530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing concern regarding the adverse risks exposure to cylindrospermopsin (CYN) might exert on animals and humans. However, data regarding the toxicity of this cyanotoxin to neotropical fish species are scarce. Using the fish species Poecilia reticulata, the influence of CYN concentrations equal to and above the tolerable for drinking water may produce on liver was determined by assessing biomarkers of antioxidant defense mechanisms and correlated to qualitative and semiquantitative histopathological observations. Adult females were exposed to 0.0 (Control); 0.5, 1 and 1.5 μg/L pure CYN for 24 or 96 hr, in triplicate. Subsequently the livers were extracted for biochemical assays and histopathological evaluation. Catalase (CAT) activity was significantly increased only by 1.5 μg/L CYN-treatment, at both exposure times. Glutathione -S-transferase (GST) activity presented a biphasic response for both exposure times. It was markedly decreased after exposure by 0.5 μg/L CYN treatment but significantly elevated by 1.5 μg/L CYN treatment. All CYN treatments produced histopathological alterations, as evidenced by hepatocyte cords degeneration, steatosis, inflammatory infiltration, melanomacrophage centers, vessel congestion, and areas with necrosis. Further, an IORG >35 was achieved for all treatments, indicative of the presence of severe histological alterations in P. reticulata hepatic parenchyma and stroma. Taken together, data demonstrated evidence that CYN-induced hepatotoxicity in P. reticulata appears to be associated with an imbalance of antioxidant defense mechanisms accompanied by histopathological liver alterations. It is worthy to note that exposure to low environmentally-relevant CYN concentrations might constitute a significant risk to health of aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - João Marcos de Lima Faria
- Laboratory of Cellular Behavior, Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Custódio da Silva Rabelo
- Laboratory of Cellular Behavior, Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | | | - Lorena Alves Mesquita
- Laboratory of Cellular Behavior, Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Raquel de Andrade Silva
- Laboratory of Cellular Behavior, Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Jerusa Maria de Oliveira
- Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Morphophysiology, Histology and Embryology Section, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil
| | - Lázaro Wender Oliveira de Jesus
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Morphophysiology, Histology and Embryology Section, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil
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Davis G, Hameister B, Dunnum C, Vanderpas E, Carter B. Incorporating Primer Amplification Efficiencies in Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Experiments; Considerations for Differential Gene Expression Analyses in Zebrafish. Zebrafish 2023; 20:189-199. [PMID: 37722027 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is commonly used to measure the mRNA expression of target genes in zebrafish. Gene expression values from RT-qPCR are typically reported as relative fold-changes, and relative quantification of RT-qPCR data incorporates primer amplification efficiency values for each target gene. We describe the influence of the primer amplification efficiency analysis method on RT-qPCR gene expression fold-change calculations. This report describes (1) a sample analysis demonstrating incorporation of primer amplification efficiency into RT-qPCR analysis for comparing gene expression of a gene of interest between two groups when normalized to multiple reference genes, (2) the influence of differences in primer amplification efficiencies between measured genes on gene expression differences calculated from theoretical delta-Cq (dCq) values, and (3) an empirical comparison of the influence of three methods of defining primer amplification efficiency in gene expression analyses (delta-delta-Cq [ddCq], standard curve, LinRegPCR) using mRNA measurements of a set of genes in zebrafish embryonic development. Given the need to account for the influence of primer amplification efficiency along with the simplicity of using software programs (LinRegPCR) to measure primer amplification efficiency from RT-qPCR data, we encourage using empirical measurements of primer amplification efficiency for RT-qPCR analysis of differential gene expression in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Davis
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Brianna Hameister
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Cora Dunnum
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Emily Vanderpas
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Brad Carter
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
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Falfushynska H, Kasianchuk N, Siemens E, Henao E, Rzymski P. A Review of Common Cyanotoxins and Their Effects on Fish. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11020118. [PMID: 36850993 PMCID: PMC9961407 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Global warming and human-induced eutrophication drive the occurrence of various cyanotoxins in aquatic environments. These metabolites reveal diversified mechanisms of action, encompassing cyto-, neuro-, hepato-, nephro-, and neurotoxicity, and pose a threat to aquatic biota and human health. In the present paper, we review data on the occurrence of the most studied cyanotoxins, microcystins, nodularins, cylindrospermopsin, anatoxins, and saxitoxins, in the aquatic environment, as well as their potential bioaccumulation and toxicity in fish. Microcystins are the most studied among all known cyanotoxins, although other toxic cyanobacterial metabolites are also commonly identified in aquatic environments and can reveal high toxicity in fish. Except for primary toxicity signs, cyanotoxins adversely affect the antioxidant system and anti-/pro-oxidant balance. Cyanotoxins also negatively impact the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, fish exposed to microcystins and cylindrospermopsin exhibit various immunomodulatory, inflammatory, and endocrine responses. Even though cyanotoxins exert a complex pressure on fish, numerous aspects are yet to be the subject of in-depth investigation. Metabolites other than microcystins should be studied more thoroughly to understand the long-term effects in fish and provide a robust background for monitoring and management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halina Falfushynska
- Department of Marine Biology, Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Anhalt University for Applied Sciences, 06366 Köthen, Germany
| | - Nadiia Kasianchuk
- Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61712 Poznan, Poland
| | - Eduard Siemens
- Faculty of Electrical, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Anhalt University for Applied Sciences, 06366 Köthen, Germany
| | - Eliana Henao
- Research Group Integrated Management of Ecosystems and Biodiversity XIUÂ, School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja 150003, Colombia
| | - Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61701 Poznan, Poland
- Integrated Science Association (ISA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), 61701 Poznań, Poland
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