Acute and early life stage toxicity of industrial effluent on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Safer and greener chemicals for the aquatic ecosystem: Chemometric modeling of the prolonged and chronic aquatic toxicity of chemicals on Oryzias latipes

In the modern era, chemicals and their products have been used everywhere like agriculture, healthcare, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, household products, clothing industry, etc. These chemicals find their way to reach the aquatic ecosystem (directly/indirectly) and cause severe chronic and prolonged toxic effects to aquatic species which is also then translated to human beings. Prolonged and chronic toxicity data of many chemicals that are used daily is not available due to high experimentation testing costs, time investment, and the requirement of a large number of animal sacrifices. Thus, in silico approaches (e.g., QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship)) are the best alternative for chronic and prolonged toxicity predictions. The present work offers multi-endpoint (five endpoints: chronic_LOEC, prolonged_14D_LC50, prolonged_14D_NOEC, prolonged_21D_LC50, prolonged_21D_NOEC) QSAR models for addressing the prolonged and chronic aquatic toxicity of chemicals toward fish (O. latipes). The statistical results (R2 =0.738-0.869, QLOO2 =0.712-0.831, Q(F1)2 =0.618-0.731) of the developed models show that they were robust, reliable, reproducible, accurate, and predictive. Some of the features that are responsible for prolonged and chronic toxicity of chemicals towards O. latipes are as follows: the presence of substituted benzene, hydrophobicity, unsaturation, electronegativity, the presence of long-chain fragments, the presence of a greater number of atoms at conjugation, and the presence of halogen atoms. On the other hand, hydrophilicity and graph density descriptors retard the aquatic chronic and prolonged toxicity of chemicals toward O. latipes. The PPDB (pesticide properties database) and experimental and investigational classes of drugs from the DrugBank database were also screened using the developed model. Thus, these multi-endpoint models will be helpful for data-gap filling and provide a broad range of applicability. Therefore, this research will aid in the in silico QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship) prediction (non-animal testing) of the prolonged and chronic toxicity of untested and new toxic chemicals/drugs/pesticides, design and development of eco-friendly, novel, and safer chemicals, and help to protect the aquatic ecosystem from exposure to toxic and hazardous chemicals.

Metabolomic-Based Comparison of Daphnia magna and Japanese Medaka Responses After Exposure to Acetaminophen, Diclofenac, and Ibuprofen

Pharmaceuticals are found in aquatic environments due to their widespread use and environmental persistence. To date, a range of impairments to aquatic organisms has been reported with exposure to pharmaceuticals; however, further comparisons of their impacts across different species on the molecular level are needed. In the present study, the crustacean Daphnia magna and the freshwater fish Japanese medaka, common model organisms in aquatic toxicity, were exposed for 48 h to the common analgesics acetaminophen (ACT), diclofenac (DCF), and ibuprofen (IBU) at sublethal concentrations. A targeted metabolomic-based approach, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to quantify polar metabolites from individual daphnids and fish was used. Multivariate analyses and metabolite changes identified differences in the metabolite profile for D. magna and medaka, with more metabolic perturbations for D. magna. Pathway analyses uncovered disruptions to pathways associated with protein synthesis and amino acid metabolism with D. magna exposure to all three analgesics. In contrast, medaka exposure resulted in disrupted pathways with DCF only and not ACT and IBU. Overall, the observed perturbations in the biochemistry of both organisms were different and consistent with assessments using other endpoints reporting that D. magna is more sensitive to pollutants than medaka in short-term studies. Our findings demonstrate that molecular-level responses to analgesic exposure can reflect observations of other endpoints, such as immobilization and mortality. Thus, environmental metabolomics can be a valuable tool for selecting sentinel species for the biomonitoring of freshwater ecosystems while also uncovering mechanistic information. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1339-1351. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Acute toxicity of Bisphenol A (BPA) to tropical marine and estuarine species from different trophic groups

BPA is chemical pollutant of very high concern due to its toxicity to the environment and risks for human health. Environmental concern consists in BPA entrance into aquatic ecosystems due to acute and chronic toxicity to invertebrates and vertebrates. This study aimed to determine acute BPA toxicity to tropical estuarine-marine species of four trophic levels and integrate BPA toxicity values using species sensitivity distribution (SSD) analysis. Our hypothesis is that BPA toxicity increases towards higher trophic levels. Microalga (Tetraselmis sp.), zooplanktonic grazer (Artemia salina), deposit-feeder invertebrate (Heleobia australis), and omnivorous fish (Poecilia vivipara) were chosen as experimental models. Tetraselmis sp. showed the highest BPA tolerance, without a concentration-dependent response. Species sensitivity have increased from A. salina (LC_50,96h = 107.2 mg L^-1), followed by H. australis (LC_50,96h = 11.53.5 mg L^-1), to P. vivipara (LC_50,96h = 3.5 mg L^-1). Despite the toxicity hierarchy towards trophic levels, which partially supported our hypothesis, SSD did not evidence a clear pattern among estuarine-marine trophic groups. Our study disclosed the sensitivity of not yet investigated species to BPA and, in an integrative way, highlighted BPA toxic effects at different trophic levels. Although estimated acute hazardous concentration (HC5 = 1.18 mg L^-1) for estuarine and marine species was higher than environmentally relevant concentrations, sublethal adverse effects induced by BPA exposure may lead to unbalances in population levels and consequently affect the ecological functioning of tropical coastal systems.

Changes in fish sex ratio as a basis for regulating endocrine disruptors

Fish sex ratio (SR) is an endpoint potentially indicating both endocrine activity and adversity, essential elements for identifying Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) as required by the EU regulations. Due to different protocols and methods in the literature studies, SR data vary greatly. This study analyses literature SR data and discusses important considerations for using SR data in the regulatory context for the hazard identification, classification, PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic) assessment, testing, and risk assessment. A total number of 106 studies were compiled for SR of zebrafish, medaka and fathead minnow exposed to 84 chemicals or mixtures. About 53% of literature studies determined SR by methods different from the standard histology method, leading to uncertainty of quantifying SR and differential sensitivity. SR was determined after depuration in 40 papers, which may lead to chemical-induced SR changes reversible to the control. SR was responsive to chemicals with EAS (estrogen, androgen, steoroidogenesis) activity and also to those with thyroid and progesterone activity. Besides, SR was influenced by non-chemical factors, e.g., inbreeding and temperature, leading to difficulty in data interpretation. The ECHA/EFSA/JRC Guidance suggests that SR and gonad histology data can be used for identifying EDCs. Due to reversibility, influence of confounding factors, and responsiveness to chemicals with endocrine activity other than EAS, this study suggests that SR/gonad histology should be combined with certain mode of action evidence for identifying EDCs. Important considerations for using SR data in the identification, classification, PBT assessment, testing, and risk assessment are discussed.

The impact of kraft pulping effluent on egg survival and hatching success in two species of Clupeiformes (Teleostei)

The anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) and sardine (Strangomera bentincki) are coastal pelagic species with important spawning areas off the coast of Chile. The discharge of secondary-treated effluents from a kraft pulp plant near one of these spawning areas has raised environmental concerns. Therefore, effluent effects on the development of anchoveta and sardine eggs were assessed by in vitro exposure. Eggs were sampled between 2007 and 2010 off Talcahuano, Chile. Subsequent toxicity tests (96 h duration, 12 °C) were performed using increasing effluent concentrations, a filtered seawater control, and two potassium dichromate concentrations (to verify consistent embryonic sensitivity). Egg mortality and hatching success were evaluated. For anchoveta, mortality (9.9 ± 7.1%) did not significantly differ among groups in five toxicity tests except the final toxicity test that showed significant differences in mortality (5.6% control vs 27.8% in 100% effluent). For sardines, no differences in mortality existed between the effluent dilutions (2.6 ± 3.6%) and control (6.3 ± 3.9%). Notably, anchoveta egg survival and hatching success rates were inconsistent, i.e., the highest rates of hatching failure occurred on the same sampling date with the highest rates of survival for the 100% effluent group (72%). In conclusion, the obtained results indicate that (i) anchoveta egg mortality and hatching failure increase only under 100% effluent exposure, coinciding with decreased egg quality near the end of spawning season and (ii) high effluent dilutions not significantly increase sardine and anchoveta egg mortalities. Nevertheless, the recorded adverse effects to the hatching process should be studied in greater detail, particularly considering interspecific variability and the complexity of reproductive processes, especially during early development.

Effect-based assessment of toxicity removal during wastewater treatment

Wastewaters contain complex mixtures of chemicals, which can cause adverse toxic effects in the receiving environment. In the present study, the toxicity removal during wastewater treatment at seven municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was investigated using an effect-based approach. A battery of eight bioassays was applied comprising of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption and fish embryo toxicity assays. Human cell-based CALUX assays, transgenic larval models and the fish embryo toxicity test were particularly sensitive to WWTP effluents. The results indicate that most effects were significantly reduced or completely removed during wastewater treatment (76-100%), while embryo toxicity, estrogenic activity and thyroid disruption were still detectable in the effluents suggesting that some harmful substances remain after treatment. The responsiveness of the bioassays was compared and the human cell-based CALUX assays showed highest responsiveness in the samples. Additionally, the fish embryo toxicity test and the transgenic larval models for endocrine disrupting effects showed high responsiveness at low sample concentrations in nearly all of the effluent samples. The results showed a similar effect pattern among all WWTPs investigated, indicating that the wastewater composition could be rather similar at different locations. There were no considerable differences in the toxicity removal efficiencies of the treatment plants and no correlation was observed with WWTP characteristics, such as process configuration or sludge age. This study demonstrated that a biotest battery comprising of multiple endpoints can serve as a powerful tool when assessing water quality or water treatment efficiency in a holistic manner. Rather than analyzing the concentrations of a few selected chemicals, bioassays can be used to complement traditional methods of monitoring in the future by assessing sum-parameter based effects, such as mixture effects, and tackling chemicals that are present at concentrations below chemical analytical detection limits.

Effects of copper on the survival, hatching, and reproduction of a pulmonate snail (Physa acuta)

Acute and chronic bioassays provide essential basis for establishment of environmental quality standards. The effects of Cu on a pulmonate snail, Physa acuta, were investigated at a number of sublethal and lethal endpoints. Cu exposure suppressed movement and triggered an escape response in P. acuta at low and high concentrations, respectively, exerting acute toxic effects on adult snails exposed to a 96 h LC₅₀ of 23.8 μg L^-1. Following 16 d exposure of Cu to the egg masses, successful hatching decreased with increasing Cu concentration. High Cu concentrations (12.5 and 25 μg L^-1) resulted in inhibition of eye and shell development at the veliger stage, and a deformed shell, abnormal eyes, and different morphological shapes with lesions and hemorrhages were observed after 9 days of exposure. A large number of eggs exposed to 2.5-25 μg L^-1 Cu remained in the veliger and hippo stages for 2-7 days, with no further development. Results from reproduction tests showed that adult snails exposed to various Cu treatments produced more than three broods, with the total number of eggs ranging from 770 to 1,289, revealing little difference between the control and Cu-treated groups (p > 0.05). However, snails exposed to 12.5 and 25 μg L^-1 Cu produced polynuclear eggs in one egg capsule. The hatching success rate and shell length of the filial generation were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). The shell length of newly hatched snails was shorter in the reproduction test than in the hatching test, indicating inherent Cu toxicity in the filial generation from the exposed parent strain. The present study provides essential data regarding Cu toxicity in pulmonate snail P. acuta.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators differentially alter the immune response of gilthead seabream juveniles

17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen used in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, tamoxifen (Tmx), a selective estrogen-receptor modulator used in hormone replacement therapy, and G1, a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) selective agonist, differentially increased the hepatic vitellogenin (vtg) gene expression and altered the immune response in adult gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) males. However, no information exists on the effects of these compounds on the immune response of juveniles. This study aims, for the first time, to investigate the effects of the dietary intake of EE2, Tmx or G1 on the immune response of gilthead seabream juveniles and the capacity of the immune system of the specimens to recover its functionality after ceasing exposures (recovery period). The specimens were immunized with hemocyanin in the presence of aluminium adjuvant 1 (group A) or 120 (group B) days after the treatments ceased (dpt). The results indicate that EE2 and Tmx, but not G1, differentially promoted a transient alteration in hepatic vtg gene expression. Although all three compounds did not affect the production of reactive oxygen intermediates, they inhibited the induction of interleukin-1β (il1b) gene expression after priming. Interestingly, although Tmx increased the percentage of IgM-positive cells in both head kidney and spleen during the recovery period, the antibody response of vaccinated fish varied depending on the compound used and when the immunization was administered. Taken together, our results suggest that these compounds differentially alter the capacity of fish to respond to infection during ontogeny and, more interestingly, that the adaptive immune response remained altered to an extent that depends on the compound.

Endocrine disrupting effects of domestic wastewater on reproduction, sexual behavior, and gene expression in the brackish medaka Oryzias melastigma

The objective of this study was to investigate the endocrine disrupting effects of domestic wastewater on fish using the brackish medaka Oryzias melastigma as the animal model. Estuarine water samples were collected from Sihchong Creek and Baoli Creek estuaries, Taiwan, in March of 2012 to assess the whole effluent toxicity (WET) of domestic wastewater produced by the local residents and tourists. Chemical analysis detected various pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the field water samples. Some of these PPCPs are endocrine disrupting chemicals. In the laboratory-based bioassay, breeding pairs were exposed to the water samples (Sihchong, Baoli, and control) for 21 days. Cumulative number of eggs spawned was significantly higher in the Sihchong group. While fish swimming activity was not affected, sexual behavior of the male fish was significantly induced in both Sihchong and Baoli groups. Male and female gonad histology was not affected. Expression level of biomarker genes CYP1A1, HSP70, and VTG was significantly induced in the Sihchong group. This study indicates that the mixture of contaminants contained in the estuarine water may cause endocrine disrupting effects in fish.

Low dose exposure to Bisphenol A alters development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone 3 neurons and larval locomotor behavior in Japanese Medaka

Accumulating evidence indicates that chronic low dose exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, may disrupt normal brain development and behavior mediated by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pathways. While it is known that GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus regulate reproductive physiology and behavior, functional roles of extra-hypothalamic GnRH neurons remain unclear. Furthermore, little is known whether BPA interacts with extra-hypothalamic GnRH3 neural systems in vulnerable developing brains. Here we examined the impact of low dose BPA exposure on the developing GnRH3 neural system, eye and brain growth, and locomotor activity in transgenic medaka embryos and larvae with GnRH3 neurons tagged with GFP. Fertilized eggs were collected daily and embryos/larvae were chronically exposed to 200ng/ml of BPA, starting at 1 day post fertilization (dpf). BPA significantly increased fluorescence intensity of the GnRH3-GFP neural population in the terminal nerve (TN) of the forebrain at 3dpf, but decreased the intensity at 5dpf, compared with controls. BPA advanced eye pigmentation without affecting eye and brain size development, and accelerated times to hatch. Following chronic BPA exposure, 20dpf larvae showed suppression of locomotion, both in distance covered and speed of movement (47% and 43% reduction, respectively). BPA-induced hypoactivity was accompanied by decreased cell body sizes of individual TN-GnRH3 neurons (14% smaller than those of controls), but not of non-GnRH3 neurons. These novel data demonstrate complex neurobehavioral effects of BPA on the development of extra-hypothalamic GnRH3 neurons in teleost fish.

Distribution, migration and potential risk of heavy metals in the Shima River catchment area, South China

The distribution, migration and potential risk of heavy metals in water and soil environments, related to city water supply, were investigated. Heavy metal concentrations in waters from the Shima River water ranged from not detected (n.d.) to 749 μg L(-1) for Mn, n.d. to 151 μg L(-1) for Ni, 7.00 to 494 μg L(-1) for Zn, n.d. to 93.0 μg L(-1) for Cu and n.d. to 9860 μg L(-1) for Fe. The highest concentration of heavy metals was found at an upstream site in February as a result of industrial effluent discharge. Groundwater (GW1-GW5) and soil (S1-S8) samples along the riverbank showed similar levels of contamination due to a close hydraulic relationship and frequent exchange of water, probably resulting in migration of heavy metals from river water to the aquifer and accumulation at the interface. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in soil profiles were in the ranges of 2.50-19.0 mg kg(-1) for As, 2.80-11.2 mg kg(-1) for Cd, 20.3-165 mg kg(-1) for Cr, 14.5-298 mg kg(-1) for Cu, 11.4-102 mg kg(-1) for Ni, 7.00-95.0 mg kg(-1) for Pb, 40.4-465 mg kg(-1) for Zn, 8.80 × 10(3)-21.8 × 10(3) mg kg(-1) for Fe, and 62.2-430 mg kg(-1) for Mn, showing severe soil pollution by Cd. LUMISTox testing and the potential ecological risk index (RI) were used to assess the potential for adverse ecological effects caused by heavy metals in water and soil media. River water samples posed slight acute toxicity to Vibrio fischeri with luminescence inhibition rates (LIRs) ranging from 24.6% to 38.4% in February. Elevated Zn and Cu concentrations significantly contributed to the toxicity. However, groundwater did not exhibit any toxicity to Vibrio fischeri. The severity of the potential ecological risk for individual metals (Er(i)) decreased in the order of Cd > Cu > Ni > As > Pb > Zn > Cr. RI values indicated that all soil samples in the study area posed a high level of ecological risk. Cd contributed significantly (95.5-98.9%) to potential ecological risk in soils.

Fish larval deformity caused by aldehydes and unknown byproducts in ozonated effluents from municipal wastewater treatment systems

Ozonated secondary effluents (SEs) from municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) have been found to cause developmental retardation of fish embryos. This study explored the potential cause of the embryo toxicity formed in ozonated SEs by exposing Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) (d-rR) embryos to ozonated SE from a MWTP in Tianjin, China. The increase of ozone dose from 0.26 to 0.96 mg O3/mg DOC0 (consumed ozone per initial DOC), which produced total aldehyde (mixture of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and glyoxal) from 41.5 to 114.7 μg/L, resulted in an increase in the percentage of deformed larvae from 2.2% to 24.1%. Increases in larval deformity and embryo mortality were also observed in ozonated SEs from other MWTPs. The exposure experiment using the mixture aldehyde solution showed that the production of aldehydes could explain approximately 13.6% of larval deformity caused by ozonation of SEs. Pilot experimental results in Tianjin and Beijing, China showed that biofiltration as a post-treatment technology was effective in removing the aldehydes as well as reducing embryo toxicity caused by ozonation.

Toxicity screening of produced water extracts in a zebrafish embryo assay

Produced water is the largest effluent discharge from oil and gas/condensate production facilities in the North Sea. There is concern that contaminants originating from the reservoir and chemicals used in the production process may affect marine organisms. Developmental toxicity of extractable organic compounds in produced water effluents from oil and gas/condensate production platforms in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea was assessed in a temporal and spatial manner using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Large-scale solid-phase extraction (SPE) and on-column fractionation of water-soluble fraction (WSF) and an oil/particulate fraction was used in a rapid screening bioassay for embryotoxicity. Exposure to produced water extracts increased rate of mortality and reduced pigmentation and heart rate, as well as delaying time to hatch. The oil/particulate fraction was 10-fold less toxic than WSF, indicating that toxicity was predominantly produced by moderately polar and bioavailable compounds. Large spatial and temporal variation in produced water toxicity was observed, displaying considerable variability in the reservoir, oil well, and effluent composition over time. The noted toxicity did not correlate well with either reported produced water composition or parameters such as total hydrocarbons, thus challenging chemical measurements as a reliable source of information for predicting complex effects. Although embryotoxicity was observed following exposure to the extracts, dilution and transformation of produced water in the recipient are expected to rapidly reduce the concentrations of compounds in the effluents to levels below the thresholds of observed effects.

Biotoxicity evaluation of coking wastewater treated with different technologies using Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

The potential biotoxicity to the environment should be addressed during wastewater treatment. In this study, biotoxicity of coking wastewater effluent from MBR, Fenton, electro-Fenton and coagulation treatment processes was evaluated using embryos and larvae of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). The acute toxicity based on 96-h larval mortality as well as the chronic toxicity based on embryo hatching, larvae swim-up failure, growth, and sexual ratio were determined. The results showed that different treatment processes have various biotoxicity levels. The acute toxicity of Fenton and electro-Fenton effluents was much higher than that of MBR and coagulation. For the chronic toxicity, the effluent of the Fenton/electro-Fenton process displayed lower embryo hatching, larvae survival and growth in comparison with the effluents of MBR and coagulation. No endocrine disruption was detected in MBR, Fenton and electro-Fenton effluents, but was contained in the coagulation effluent. The biotoxicity test indicated that the effluent of MBR was very safe for the environment. The toxicological indices were necessary for ecological safety maintenance in the industrial wastewater treatment.

Bioaccumulation and debromination of BDE-209 in Japanese medaka (Oryzias Latipes) when continuously exposed to environmental relevant concentrations

BDE-209 is the most commonly used commercial polybrominated diphenyl ether, and is of particular concern due to its accumulation and debromination to more toxic congeners in aquatic organisms. In this study, Japanese medaka were continuously exposed to BDE-209 with the exposure concentrations ranging from 1 to 1000 ng/L for 15, 30 and 60 days in a flowing-through exposure device. The results showed that BDE-209 could be accumulated in fish muscle at environmental relevant concentrations and its concentration in the muscle increased with the increase of exposure time and reached to a steady state. Toxicokinetic data showed that the dose-dependent half-life of BDE-209 in the muscle of medaka ranged from 16.5 to 19.4 days. Low brominated congeners could be detected, where tri- to hexa-BDEs were predominant congeners with up to 46% to 93% of total PBDEs and lower brominated BDEs may have slower elimination rates. Concentration level of BDE-155 ranged from several ng/g wet weight (ww) to a maximum of 178 ng/g ww. BDE-154 and BDE-153 as intermediates in fish under continuous exposure were negligible. By comparing with previous work, fish may have a different bioaccumulation capacity and metabolic pattern from other species, either because of species difference or the manner of exposures.

Generation of fluorescent zebrafish to study endocrine disruption and potential crosstalk between thyroid hormone and corticosteroids

Several environmental chemicals disrupt thyroid function, a key regulator of normal development involved in many physiological processes in fish. We studied the effects of such chemicals in vivo using transient transgenic zebrafish (Danio rerio), expressing Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) under the control of a TH/bZIP promoter from Xenopus laevis. Exposure to thyroid hormone (T3) at 10(-8)M increased GFP fluorescence in F0 embryos and larvae. Transient transgenic embryos were exposed to a T3 signaling agonist (TRIAC) or antagonists (NH(3) or NaClO(4)), or to the endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA). When tested alone, TRIAC increased fluorescence, confirming the specificity of our model. Exposure to NH(3) or NaClO(4) decreased fluorescence, reflecting inhibition of thyroid function. When tested alone, BPA did not modify fluorescence, but when tested with T3, it significantly reduced T3-induced fluorescence, suggesting disruption of the thyroid function by BPA. The expression of genes involved in the TH axis (TR-alpha, TR-beta, TSH) and the corticoid axis (GR and MR) was followed by q-PCR after T3 or BPA exposure (24 or 48h) and at different developmental stages (0, 1, or 5 days post-fertilization). Expression of TR-alpha, TR-beta, and TSH genes increased after 48h T3 exposure in 1-day-old larvae. When tested alone, BPA only slightly affected gene expression. When applied with T3, BPA decreased expression of all candidate genes in 1-day-old embryos compared to the T3 treated group, in agreement with data obtained with the TH/bZIP-eGFP zebrafish model. Finally, we show that T3 exposure leads to up-regulation of MR and GR genes. This study provides a new rapid diagnostic tool for characterizing the disrupting effects of toxicants on thyroid function and suggests possible crosstalk between the TR and Corticoid Signaling system.

Comparative embryotoxicity of pulp mill extracts in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), American flagfish (Jordanella floridae) and Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

This study evaluated the effects of Chilean pulp mill effluent extracts (untreated, primary and secondary treated pulp mill effluents), along with steroid standards (testosterone and 17β-estradiol) and a wood extractive standard (beta-sitosterol) on developing post-fertilized fish embryos. Our study included a cold freshwater species, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and two warm freshwater species American flagfish (Jordanella floridae) and Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Embryotoxicity results included delay in time to hatch and decreased hatchability but no significant egg and larvae mortality was observed in the pulp mill extract exposed embryos. By contrast, significant early hatching and increased hatchability were observed in beta-sitosterol exposed embryos, along with high mortality of testosterone exposed embryos across species. Teratogenic responses were observed in medaka embryos in all treatments. Abnormalities were detected starting at development stages 19-20 (2-4 somite stages) and included optical deformities (micro-opthalmia, 1 or 2 eyes) and lack of development of brains and hearts. Additionally, phenotypic sex identification of surviving offspring found female-biased sex-ratios in all treatments except testosterone across species. Overall, our study indicated that Chilean pulp and paper mill extractives caused embryotoxicity (post-fertilized embryos) across species and irrespective of the effluent treatment. The effects were mainly associated with delayed time to hatch, decreased hatchability, and species-specific teratogenesis.

Embryonic exposure to low concentration of bisphenol A affects the development of Oryzias melastigma larvae

The prevalence of bisphenol A (BPA) in the environment has attracted increasing attention because of the toxicity of this manmade pollutant. However, the toxicity related to cardiac development remains largely unknown. In the present paper, we investigated the cardiac toxicity of BPA using marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) embryos. At 2 days postfertilization (dpf), the embryos were continuously exposed to a low concentration of BPA (200 μg/L) for the whole embryonic stage. Heart rate and sinus venosus (SV)-bulbus arteriosus (BA) distance were measured under microscopy. The mRNA expression levels of genes were quantified by SYBR real-time RT-PCR, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to examine the histology of fish larvae hearts. Neither the heart rate nor the SV-BA distance of the embryos was affected by BPA exposure. However, the mRNA expression levels of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, BMP4, COX-1, FGF8, GATA4, and NKX2.5 were all downregulated at the critical developmental stages (6 and 10 dpf). Interestingly, the mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and LERP were significantly upregulated at 10 dpf. The mRNA expressions of inflammation-related genes (TNFα, IL1β, SOD, and CCL11) were all significantly upregulated after exposure. Moreover, we found that both the body length and the body width decreased in the larvae after embryonic exposure to BPA. The distributed foci of inflammation were observed in the juveniles after 2 weeks' depuration. Exposure to BPA at embryonic stages could alter the expression of heart development-related genes and inflammation-related genes of O. melastigma. The larvae hatched from exposed embryos showed the foci of inflammation in the heart ventricles and the decrease of the body length and width.

Bisphenol A in oocytes leads to growth suppression and altered stress performance in juvenile rainbow trout

Background

Bisphenol A (BPA), used in the manufacture of plastics, is ubiquitously distributed in the aquatic environment. However, the effect of maternal transfer of these xenobiotics on embryonic development and growth is poorly understood in fish. We tested the hypothesis that BPA in eggs, mimicking maternal transfer, impact development, growth and stress performance in juveniles of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Methodology/Principal Findings

Trout oocytes were exposed to 0, 30 and 100 µg.mL⁻¹ BPA for 3 h in ovarian fluid, followed by fertilization. The embryos were maintained in clean water and sampled temporally over 156-days post-fertilization (dpf), and juveniles were sampled at 400-dpf. The egg BPA levels declined steadily after exposure and were undetectable after 21- dpf. Oocyte exposure to BPA led to a delay in hatching and yolk absorption and a consistently lower body mass over 152-dpf. The growth impairment, especially in the high BPA group, correlated with higher growth hormone (GH) content and lower GH receptors gene expression. Also, mRNA abundances of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2) and their receptors were suppressed in the BPA treated groups. The juvenile fish grown from the BPA-enriched eggs had lower body mass and showed perturbations in plasma cortisol and glucose response to an acute stressor.

Conclusion

BPA accumulation in eggs, prior to fertilization, leads to hatching delays, growth suppression and altered stress response in juvenile trout. The somatotropic axis appears to be a key target for BPA impact during early embryogenesis, leading to long term growth and stress performance defects in fish.

A reproductive toxicology study of phenanthrene in medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Environmental contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can disrupt the endocrine system and affect reproductive function of humans and wildlife. In this study, we exposed Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) to water-borne or food-spiked phenanthrene, an ubiquitous PAH, and investigated the chronic effects of the chemical on medaka reproduction. The results showed that phenanthrene significantly prolonged the time to hatch for embryos. Other parameters such as fecundity and fertility, organ-somatic ratios, hepatic vitellogenin production, and the histology of testes and ovaries were not different between the control and phenanthrene-treated groups. This suggests that the time to hatch in embryos might be a more sensitive biomarker for environmental contaminants.

Toxicity of seven phthalate esters to embryonic development of the abalone Haliotis diversicolor supertexta

The toxicity of seven phthalate esters (PAEs), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) to embryogenesis and larval development of the marine univalve Haliotis diversicolor supertexta was examined by means of two-stage embryo toxicity test. At the blastula stage, the normal embryonic development of H. diversicolor supertexta showed a good dose-response decrease when exposed to DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, and DnHP. 9-h EC(50) values of DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, and DnHP were 55.71, 39.13, 8.37, 2.65, and 3.32 mg/l, respectively. 9-h EC(50) values of DEHP and DOP were not available due to their low solubility. The toxicity order of seven tested PAEs was BBP>DnHP>DBP>DEP>DMP>DOP>DEHP. With the completion of metamorphosis as an experimental endpoint, the 96-h no-observed effect concentration values of DBP, DEHP and the other five tested PAEs were 0.022, 0.021, and 0.020 mg/l, respectively. Due to simple obtainment, convenient stimulation to spawn in the lab, greater sensitivity than mature species, and short culture time, the embryos of H. diversicolor supertexta have the potential to be utilized in acute toxicity test for at least PAEs.

Bisphenol A in the Aquatic Environment and Its Endocrine-Disruptive Effects on Aquatic Organisms

Bisphenol A [BPA; 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane], which is mainly used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics, is a known endocrine disruptor and is acutely toxic to aquatic organisms. Due to intensified usage of these products, exposure of organisms to BPA via several routes, such as the environment and food, has increased. The aquatic environment is an important area for the study of BPA. This report reviews the literature concerning contamination routes and degradation of BPA in the aquatic environment and its endocrine-disruptive effects on aquatic organisms.

Determination of acute and early life stage toxicity of fat-plant effluent using zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The present study examines the effects of an effluent from a fat plant (FP) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae using the whole effluent toxicity testing methods (WET). The method is based on acute toxicity using 96-h larval mortality and chronic toxicity using endpoints such as the time to hatch, hatching success, deformity, growth rate, swim-up failure, accumulative mortality, and sex ratio. On the basis of larval mortality the 96-h LC(50) (the concentration was lethal to 50% of newly hatching zebrafish larvae) was 68.9%. In chronic toxicity test, newly fertilized embryos (<5-h old) were exposed to 1, 6, 12, 25, 50% effluent concentrations in a 24-h static renewal system at (27 +/- 0.5) degrees C until 15-day posthatch. The results showed that all chronic endpoints were significantly different from the control at 50% dilution. Embryos began to show lesions on third day at higher concentrations (12, 25, 50% FP effluent concentrations). Treatment group of 25% dilution showed delayed time to hatch. Morphological abnormalities were observed in newly hatched larvae at 25 and 50% FP effluent concentrations. At 25% dilution, sex ratio of larvae was alternated and there was feminization phenomenon. On the basis of the study, the FP effluent tested here may cause increasing embryotoxicity in the zebrafish embryos. We conclude that the test using zebrafish is feasible to evaluate both acute and chronic toxicities of industrial effluents.

Impact of bisphenol-A on early embryonic development and reproductive maturation

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen and monomer component of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that are widely used in the production of food and beverage containers. It leaches into our food and drink at concentrations shown to have biological consequences. Here we show that exposure to low levels of BPA accelerated early embryonic development within 24h of exposure, attenuated body growth, and advanced the times of hatching and reproductive maturation in medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). The acceleration in embryonic development and time to hatch were blocked by the thyroid-hormone receptor (TH-R) antagonist amiodarone, suggesting that BPA alters global developmental timing through a thyroid-hormone pathway. Our results are likely to have broad implications regarding the effects of plastic-derived contaminants on embryonic and reproductive development.

Evaluating the fish safety level of river water and wastewater with a larval medaka assay

A larval medaka (Oryzias latipes) assay was proposed to evaluate the fish safety level of river waters and wastewaters. Organic toxicants were 10-100 times concentrated with adsorption cartridges from 4 l of river water or 1-10 times concentrated from 400 ml of wastewater. Toxicity of these concentrated solutions was determined by exposing 48-72 h post-hatch age larvae for 48 h. The method effectively revealed a variation of the median lethal concentration ratio (LCR50) from 13 to >100 in 125 river water samples, and from <1 to >10 in five typical wastewater samples. Ayase River, which takes water mostly from agricultural or household discharge, showed significantly (P<0.001) lower LCR50 than Sagami River that takes natural water as the source. Safety Levels in both Sagami River and Ayase River were influenced by the irrigation activity, LCR50 at some sites showing a seasonal-specific decrease in winter. Pollution from pulp and paper industries contributed to the low LCR50 in several tributaries of Ayase River. Required little manpower in sampling, pretreatment and testing, the proposed larval medaka assay was proved as an efficient tool for screening those high risk sites for priority management.