1
|
Han X, Li C, Qin G, Wang X, Zhang B, Lin Q. Growth increase and gonadal dysfunction of the lined seahorse triggered by zinc exposure. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 272:106947. [PMID: 38776607 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106947] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Seahorses are characterized by unique characteristics such as a male pregnancy reproductive strategy and grasping preferences, which make these species vulnerable to various environmental risks. Zinc (Zn) is one of the most frequently occurring toxic elements in coastal waters; however, little is known about the effect of Zn exposure on seahorses. In the present study, line seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) were exposed to waterborne Zn (0.2 and 1.0 mg/L) and the impact on growth and gonadal development was investigated. Zn exposure induced growth improvement, but also led to gonadal dysfunction in the lined seahorse. Female seahorses exhibited high testosterone levels, immature follicles, and weight increase after Zn exposure, which is the typical characteristics of a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-like phenotype. Transcriptomic data suggested that the Zn-induced growth promotion resulted from the dysregulated expression of fat accumulation genes. Further investigation of gene expression profiles in the brain, ovaries, and testes indicated that Zn affected the expression of genes involved in growth, immunity, tissue remodeling, and gonadal development by regulating serum steroid hormone levels and androgen receptor expression. This study not only clarifies the complex impact of Zn on seahorses using physiological, histological, and molecular evidence but can also provide new insights into the mechanism underlying PCOS in reproductive-aged women. Moreover, this work demonstrates the risk of the common practice of Zn supplementation in the aquaculture industry as the consequent growth yield may not represent a healthy condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Han
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China.
| | - Geng Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou 510301, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Xin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou 510301, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou 510301, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Qiang Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| |
Collapse
|