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Douillet C, Miller M, Cable PH, Shi Q, El-Masri H, Matoušek T, Koller BH, Thomas DJ, Stýblo M. Fate of arsenicals in mice carrying the human AS3MT gene exposed to environmentally relevant levels of arsenite in drinking water. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3660. [PMID: 36871058 PMCID: PMC9985638 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30723-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although mice are widely used to study adverse effects of inorganic arsenic (iAs), higher rates of iAs methylation in mice than in humans may limit their utility as a model organism. A recently created 129S6 mouse strain in which the Borcs7/As3mt locus replaces the human BORCS7/AS3MT locus exhibits a human-like pattern of iAs metabolism. Here, we evaluate dosage dependency of iAs metabolism in humanized (Hs) mice. We determined tissue and urinary concentrations and proportions of iAs, methylarsenic (MAs), and dimethylarsenic (DMAs) in male and female Hs and wild-type (WT) mice that received 25- or 400-ppb iAs in drinking water. At both exposure levels, Hs mice excrete less total arsenic (tAs) in urine and retain more tAs in tissues than WT mice. Tissue tAs levels are higher in Hs females than in Hs males, particularly after exposure to 400-ppb iAs. Tissue and urinary fractions of tAs present as iAs and MAs are significantly greater in Hs mice than in WT mice. Notably, tissue tAs dosimetry in Hs mice resembles human tissue dosimetry predicted by a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model. These data provide additional support for use of Hs mice in laboratory studies examining effects of iAs exposure in target tissues or cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle Douillet
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7461, USA
| | - Madison Miller
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7461, USA
| | - Peter H Cable
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7461, USA
| | - Qing Shi
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7461, USA
| | - Hisham El-Masri
- Chemical Characterization and Exposure Division, Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Tomáš Matoušek
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i., Veveří 97, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Beverly H Koller
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - David J Thomas
- Dinkey Creek Consulting, LLC, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517, USA
| | - Miroslav Stýblo
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7461, USA.
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Xu L, Polya DA. Exploratory study of the association in the United Kingdom between hypertension and inorganic arsenic (iAs) intake from rice and rice products. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2021; 43:2505-2538. [PMID: 32347515 PMCID: PMC8275557 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00573-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension risks arising from chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) are well documented. Consumption of rice is a major iAs exposure route for over 3 billion people; however, there is a lack of epidemiological evidence demonstrating an association of hypertension risks with iAs intake from rice, especially in areas where there is little exposure from drinking water but a growing demand for rice intake. To address this, we conducted an individual-level cross-sectional analysis to quantify the extent to which daily iAs intake from rice and rice products (E-iAsing,rice) modifies the association between hypertension risks and previously well-established risk factors. The analysis was based on secondary dietary, socio-demographic and health status data of 598 participants recorded in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2014-2016. E-iAsing,rice and five blood pressure endpoints were derived with potential associations explored through generalized linear models. According to the results, a negative but not significant relationship was found between hypertension risks and E-iAsing,rice after adjusting for major risk factors, notably age, gender, diabetes and obesity, with relatively higher risks being observed for male, middle-aged, overweight, alcohol consumer or Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British and mixed ethnic groups. Though inconclusive and mainly limited by potential incomplete adjustment for major confounders and intrinsic disadvantages of a cross-sectional design, this study was the first quantifying the individual level dose-response relationship between E-iAsing,rice and hypertension risks and is consistent with previous studies on the limited associations of hypertension with low-level arsenic exposure from drinking water. Larger scale cohort studies are indicated to quantify the association but in any event it is likely to be weak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingqian Xu
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - David A Polya
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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3
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Herrera C, Moraga R, Bustamante B, Vilo C, Aguayo P, Valenzuela C, Smith CT, Yáñez J, Guzmán-Fierro V, Roeckel M, Campos VL. Characterization of Arsenite-Oxidizing Bacteria Isolated from Arsenic-Rich Sediments, Atacama Desert, Chile. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030483. [PMID: 33668956 PMCID: PMC7996500 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic (As), a semimetal toxic for humans, is commonly associated with serious health problems. The most common form of massive and chronic exposure to As is through consumption of contaminated drinking water. This study aimed to isolate an As resistant bacterial strain to characterize its ability to oxidize As (III) when immobilized in an activated carbon batch bioreactor and to evaluate its potential to be used in biological treatments to remediate As contaminated waters. The diversity of bacterial communities from sediments of the As-rich Camarones River, Atacama Desert, Chile, was evaluated by Illumina sequencing. Dominant taxonomic groups (>1%) isolated were affiliated with Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. A high As-resistant bacterium was selected (Pseudomonas migulae VC-19 strain) and the presence of aio gene in it was investigated. Arsenite detoxification activity by this bacterial strain was determined by HPLC/HG/AAS. Particularly when immobilized on activated carbon, P. migulae VC-19 showed high rates of As(III) conversion (100% oxidized after 36 h of incubation). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a P. migulae arsenite oxidizing strain that is promising for biotechnological application in the treatment of arsenic contaminated waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Herrera
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (C.H.); (B.B.); (C.V.); (P.A.); (C.V.); (C.T.S.)
| | - Ruben Moraga
- Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Arturo Prat University, Iquique 1100000, Chile
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (V.L.C.)
| | - Brian Bustamante
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (C.H.); (B.B.); (C.V.); (P.A.); (C.V.); (C.T.S.)
| | - Claudia Vilo
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (C.H.); (B.B.); (C.V.); (P.A.); (C.V.); (C.T.S.)
| | - Paulina Aguayo
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (C.H.); (B.B.); (C.V.); (P.A.); (C.V.); (C.T.S.)
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, EULA-Chile, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4070386, Chile
- Institute of Natural Resources, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Agronomy, Universidad de Las Américas, Sede Concepcion, Campus El Boldal, Av. Alessandri N°1160, Concepcion 4090940, Chile
| | - Cristian Valenzuela
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (C.H.); (B.B.); (C.V.); (P.A.); (C.V.); (C.T.S.)
| | - Carlos T. Smith
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (C.H.); (B.B.); (C.V.); (P.A.); (C.V.); (C.T.S.)
| | - Jorge Yáñez
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Department of Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Concepción, Concepción 4070386, Chile;
| | - Victor Guzmán-Fierro
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Concepción, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (V.G.-F.); (M.R.)
| | - Marlene Roeckel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Concepción, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (V.G.-F.); (M.R.)
| | - Víctor L. Campos
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4070386, Chile; (C.H.); (B.B.); (C.V.); (P.A.); (C.V.); (C.T.S.)
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (V.L.C.)
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4
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Khan KM, Chakraborty R, Bundschuh J, Bhattacharya P, Parvez F. Health effects of arsenic exposure in Latin America: An overview of the past eight years of research. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 710:136071. [PMID: 31918184 PMCID: PMC7063974 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Studies conducted over the past eight years in Latin America (LA) have continued to produce new knowledge regarding health impacts of arsenic (As) in drinking water. We conducted a systematic review of 92 peer-reviewed English articles published between 2011 and 2018 to expand our understanding on these health effects. Majority of the LA studies on As have been conducted in Chile and Mexico. Additional data have emerged from As-exposed populations in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay. The present review has documented recent data on the biomarkers of As exposure, genetic susceptibility and genotoxicity, and risk assessment to further characterize the health effects and exposed populations. Some recent findings on the associations of As with bladder and lung cancers, reproductive outcomes, and declined cognitive performance have been consistent with what we reported in our previous systematic review article. We have found highly convincing evidence of in utero As exposure as a significant risk factor for several health outcomes, particularly for bladder cancer, even at moderate level. New data have emerged regarding the associations of As with breast and laryngeal cancers as well as type 2 diabetes. We observed early life As exposure to be associated with kidney injury, carotid intima-media thickness, and various pulmonary outcomes in children. Other childhood effects such as low birth weight, low gestational age, anemia, increased apoptosis, and decreased cognitive functions were also reported. Studies identified genetic variants of As methyltransferase that could determine susceptibility to As related health outcomes. Arsenic-induced DNA damage and alteration of gene and protein expression have also been reported. While the scope of research is still vast, the substantial work done on As exposure and its health effects in LA will help direct further large-scale studies for more comprehensive knowledge and plan appropriate mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid M Khan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
| | - Rishika Chakraborty
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
| | - Jochen Bundschuh
- School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, 4350, Queensland, Australia; UNESCO Chair on Groundwater Arsenic within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, 4350, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Prosun Bhattacharya
- KTH-International Groundwater Arsenic Research Group, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 10B, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Faruque Parvez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.
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Vicuña L, Fernandez MI, Vial C, Valdebenito P, Chaparro E, Espinoza K, Ziegler A, Bustamante A, Eyheramendy S. Adaptation to Extreme Environments in an Admixed Human Population from the Atacama Desert. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 11:2468-2479. [PMID: 31384924 PMCID: PMC6733355 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evz172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inorganic arsenic (As) is a toxic xenobiotic and carcinogen associated with severe health conditions. The urban population from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile was exposed to extremely high As levels (up to 600 µg/l) in drinking water between 1958 and 1971, leading to increased incidence of urinary bladder cancer (BC), skin cancer, kidney cancer, and coronary thrombosis decades later. Besides, the Andean Native-American ancestors of the Atacama population were previously exposed for millennia to elevated As levels in water (∼120 µg/l) for at least 5,000 years, suggesting adaptation to this selective pressure. Here, we performed two genome-wide selection tests—PBSn1 and an ancestry-enrichment test—in an admixed population from Atacama, to identify adaptation signatures to As exposure acquired before and after admixture with Europeans, respectively. The top second variant selected by PBSn1 was associated with LCE4A-C1orf68, a gene that may be involved in the immune barrier of the epithelium during BC. We performed association tests between the top PBSn1 hits and BC occurrence in our population. The strongest association (P = 0.012) was achieved by the LCE4A-C1orf68 variant. The ancestry-enrichment test detected highly significant signals (P = 1.3 × 10−9) mapping MAK16, a gene with important roles in ribosome biogenesis during the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic factors involved in adaptation to the pathophysiological consequences of As exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Vicuña
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario I Fernandez
- Department of Urology, Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile.,Center for Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cecilia Vial
- Center for Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | | | - Annemarie Ziegler
- Center for Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Susana Eyheramendy
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile
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Arriaza B, Amarasiriwardena D, Standen V, Yáñez J, Van Hoesen J, Figueroa L. Living in poisoning environments: Invisible risks and human adaptation. Evol Anthropol 2018; 27:188-196. [PMID: 30369007 DOI: 10.1002/evan.21720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This article describes the hidden natural chemical contaminants present in a unique desert environment and their health consequences on ancient populations. Currently, millions of people are affected worldwide by toxic elements such as arsenic. Using data gathered from Atacama Desert mummies, we discuss long-term exposure and biocultural adaptation to toxic elements. The rivers that bring life to the Atacama Desert are paradoxically laden with arsenic and other minerals that are invisible and tasteless. High intake of these toxic elements results in severe health and behavioral problems, and even death. We demonstrate that Inca colonies, from Camarones 9 site, were significantly affected by chemical contaminants in their food and water. It appears however, some modern-day Andean populations resist the elevated levels of arsenic exposure as a result of positive selection mediated via the arsenic methyltransferase enzyme and display more tolerance to high chemical doses. This article further debate the effects of natural pollution and biocultural adaptation of past populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Arriaza
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | | | - Vivien Standen
- Departamento de Antropología, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | - Jorge Yáñez
- Departamento de Química Analítica e Inorgánica, Laboratorio de Trazas Elementales & Especiación (LABTRES), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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7
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Leon CG, Moraga R, Valenzuela C, Gugliandolo C, Lo Giudice A, Papale M, Vilo C, Dong Q, Smith CT, Rossello-Mora R, Yañez J, Campos VL. Effect of the natural arsenic gradient on the diversity and arsenic resistance of bacterial communities of the sediments of Camarones River (Atacama Desert, Chile). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195080. [PMID: 29715297 PMCID: PMC5929503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic (As), a highly toxic metalloid, naturally present in Camarones River (Atacama Desert, Chile) is a great health concern for the local population and authorities. In this study, the taxonomic and functional characterization of bacterial communities associated to metal-rich sediments from three sites of the river (sites M1, M2 and M3), showing different arsenic concentrations, were evaluated using a combination of approaches. Diversity of bacterial communities was evaluated by Illumina sequencing. Strains resistant to arsenic concentrations varying from 0.5 to 100 mM arsenite or arsenate were isolated and the presence of genes coding for enzymes involved in arsenic oxidation (aio) or reduction (arsC) investigated. Bacterial communities showed a moderate diversity which increased as arsenic concentrations decreased along the river. Sequences of the dominant taxonomic groups (abundances ≥1%) present in all three sites were affiliated to Proteobacteria (range 40.3–47.2%), Firmicutes (8.4–24.8%), Acidobacteria (10.4–17.1%), Actinobacteria (5.4–8.1%), Chloroflexi (3.9–7.5%), Planctomycetes (1.2–5.3%), Gemmatimonadetes (1.2–1.5%), and Nitrospirae (1.1–1.2%). Bacterial communities from sites M2 and M3 showed no significant differences in diversity between each other (p = 0.9753) but they were significantly more diverse than M1 (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Sequences affiliated with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi and Actinobacteria at M1 accounted for more than 89% of the total classified bacterial sequences present but these phyla were present in lesser proportions in M2 and M3 sites. Strains isolated from the sediment of sample M1, having the greatest arsenic concentration (498 mg kg-1), showed the largest percentages of arsenic oxidation and reduction. Genes aio were more frequently detected in isolates from M1 (54%), whereas arsC genes were present in almost all isolates from all three sediments, suggesting that bacterial communities play an important role in the arsenic biogeochemical cycle and detoxification of arsenical compounds. Overall, results provide further knowledge on the microbial diversity of arsenic contaminated fresh-water sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla G. Leon
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ruben Moraga
- Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Arturo Prat University, Iquique, Chile
| | - Cristian Valenzuela
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Concetta Gugliandolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Angelina Lo Giudice
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Institute for the Coastal Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAMC-CNR), Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Papale
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Claudia Vilo
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Qunfeng Dong
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Carlos T. Smith
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ramon Rossello-Mora
- Marine Microbiology Group, Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avancats (CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Spain
| | - Jorge Yañez
- Department of Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Victor L. Campos
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- * E-mail:
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Aránguiz-Acuña A, Serra M. Diapause as escape strategy to exposure to toxicants: response of Brachionus calyciforus to arsenic. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2016; 25:708-719. [PMID: 26897746 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-016-1629-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Invertebrate organisms commonly respond to environmental fluctuation by entering diapause. Production of diapause in monogonont rotifers involves a previous switch from asexual to partial sexual reproduction. Although zooplankton have been used in ecotoxicological assays, often their true vulnerability to toxicants is underestimated by not incorporating the sexual phase. We experimentally analyzed traits involved in sexual reproduction and diapause in the cyclically parthenogenetic freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus, exposed to arsenic, a metalloid naturally found in high concentrations in desert zones, focusing on the effectiveness of diapause as an escape response in the face of an adverse condition. Addition of sublethal concentrations of arsenic modified the pattern of diapause observed in the rotifer: investment in diapause with arsenic addition peaked earlier and higher than in non-toxicant conditions, which suggests that sexual investment could be enhanced in highly stressed environmental conditions by increased responsiveness to stimulation. Nevertheless, eggs produced in large amount with arsenic, were mostly low quality, and healthy-looking eggs had lower hatching success, therefore it is unclear whether this pattern is optimum in an environment with arsenic, or if rather arsenic presence in water bodies disturbs the optimal allocation of offspring entering diapause. We observed high accumulation of arsenic in organisms exposed to constant concentration after several generations, which suggests that arsenic may be accumulated transgenerationally. The sexual phase in rotifers may be more sensitive to environmental conditions than the asexual one, therefore diapause attributes should be considered in ecotoxicological assessment because of its ecological and evolutionary implications on lakes biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Aránguiz-Acuña
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Química, Universidad Católica del Norte, 0610, Angamos, Antofagasta, Chile.
| | - Manuel Serra
- Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
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