Marine invertebrate sperm as an indicator of metal toxicity (original) (raw)
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2010
The toxicity of mercury, zinc and copper on sperm viability, fertilisation and embryogenesis of Ruditapes decussatus was examined. Cu did not affect sperm viability at all the concentrations tested. Conversely, the Zn and Hg significantly (P < 0.01) reduced sperm viability only at the highest concentration (respectively 512 and 256 μg/l). Cu caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of less than 6% in the fertilisation rate at 128 μg/l and Zn of up to 13% at 64 μg/l. Hg significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited fertilisation at concentrations as low as 32 μg/l. The median effective concentrations (EC50) reducing rates of embryogenesis by 50% were 21.1 μg Hg/l (0.1 μM), 46.3 μg Cu/l (0.72 μM) and 43.4 μg Zn/l. Therefore, Hg is up to seven times more toxic than Cu (on a molar basis). Ecotoxicity of mercury on larvae survival was also assessed in this work. Result showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of survival after exposure to 4 and 12 μg/l of Hg. The fertilisation rate and embryogenesis were the most sensitive endpoints, although the latter is
The relative sensitivity of sperm, eggs and embryos to copper in the blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus)
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 2008
Copper, an essential element, is toxic at elevated concentrations, and as a result of anthropogenic activities is becoming increasingly prevalent in marine environments. In this study, we examined the effects of copper on early life stages of the blue mussel, Mytilus trossulus. We assessed the impacts of increasing copper concentrations on embryo development, egg viability, sperm fertilization capacity and, in particular, on sperm swimming speed using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Sensitivity to copper followed the pattern: embryos N sperm N eggs. A dramatic increase in abnormal embryo development was observed following exposure to copper concentrations exceeding 10 μg/L. Sperm swimming speeds decreased significantly when exposed to 100 μg/L of copper, but lower doses did not influence sperm swimming speed. Copper exposure (at any tested concentration) did not affect sperm flagellum length, or alter egg viability. Based on our results, we suggest that exposure of sperm to copper may interfere with mitochondrial activity, which reduces sperm swimming speed during the extended duration of sperm motility in blue mussel.
Reproductive toxicity of metals in calanoid copepods
Marine Biology, 2001
This study investigated the eect of exposure route on metal accumulation, tissue distribution, and toxicity in the marine copepods Acartia hudsonica and A. tonsa. Sublethal toxicity was measured as decreases in egg production, hatching rate, ovarian development and protein (yolk) content of the egg. When algal food, exposed to Hg at 1 nM or Cd at 5 nM resulting in cells containing 34 and 64 nmol metal g ±1 dry weight, respectively, was ingested over a 4-h period by copepods, the total copepod body burden increased nine-fold for Hg and twofold for Cd over background concentrations, and egg production decreased by 50%. Sublethal concentrations of metals were >2 orders of magnitude lower than LC 50 concentrations. Hatching rate, ovarian development and egg protein content all decreased following trophic exposure to metals, implying that the process of yolk accumulation (vitellogenesis) was affected. Exposure to dissolved Cd had no eect, but dissolved Hg at concentrations as low as 0.25 nM did aect egg production. Dierent toxic eects following dierent exposure routes were related to dierent metal distributions in the copepods: exposure to dissolved metal resulted in metal deposition in the exoskeleton, whereas exposure to dietary metal resulted in metal deposition in internal tissues. These ®ndings indicate that enrichment of metal concentrations in internal tissues, which occurs primarily after exposure to dietary metal, aects vitellogenesis. The reproduction rate decreases by about 75% at metal concentrations only moderately higher than levels in coastal waters. Toxicity tests involving aquatic animals need to consider eects following uptake by dierent pathways, including the trophic transfer of metals.
Effects of Cd, Cu and Zn on sperm motility indicators of the Caspian lamprey, Caspiomyzon wagneri
Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences, 2020
The present study investigated the effects of Cd, Cu and Zn on the sperm motility of Caspiomyzon wagneri. The sperm of the specimens were exposed to 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 mg L-1 of the heavy metals, and the duration of sperm motility and percentage of motile sperms were measured using a compound microscope and digital camera. Based on the results, sperm motility parameters decreased with increasing the concentrations of heavy metals. A concentration of 1000 mg L-1 of heavy metals stopped completely the motile sperms. The present study indicated that heavy metals have detrimental effects on sperm motility and possibly decrease the fertilization and hatching rates of C. wagneri in the spawning ground, and thus a serious threat to the survival of this rare and native species.
Journal of Fish Biology, 2007
1.* Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Unidad de Cádiz, Puerto Pesquero, Muelle de Levante s/n, Apdo. 2609, 11006 Cádiz, Spain, UMR 7009, CNRS Marine Station, 06230 Villefranche sur mer, France and § Institut Français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la ...
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2007
The present study evaluated the effects of field metal contamination on sperm motility and the RNA/DNA ratio in echinoderms. Populations of Asterias rubens and Echinus acutus that occur naturally along a contamination gradient of sediments by cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in a Norwegian fjord (the Sørfjord) were studied. Sperm motility, a measure of sperm quality, was quantified using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. The RNA/DNA ratio, a measure of protein synthesis, was assessed by a one-dye (ethidium bromide)/one-enzyme (RNase), 96-well microplate fluorometric assay. Although both species accumulate metals at high concentrations, neither sperm motility parameters in A. rubens nor the RNA/DNA ratio in both species were affected. The Sørfjord is still one of the most metal-contaminated marine sites in Europe, but even so, populations of A. rubens and E. acutus are able to endure under these conditions.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2008
The present study evaluated the effects of field metal contamination on sperm motility and the RNA/DNA ratio in echinoderms. Populations of Asterias rubens and Echinus acutus that occur naturally along a contamination gradient of sediments by cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in a Norwegian fjord (the Sørfjord) were studied. Sperm motility, a measure of sperm quality, was quantified using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. The RNA/DNA ratio, a measure of protein synthesis, was assessed by a one-dye (ethidium bromide)/one-enzyme (RNase), 96-well microplate fluorometric assay. Although both species accumulate metals at high concentrations, neither sperm motility parameters in A. rubens nor the RNA/DNA ratio in both species were affected. The Sørfjord is still one of the most metal-contaminated marine sites in Europe, but even so, populations of A. rubens and E. acutus are able to endure under these conditions.
Effects of exposure to cadmium in sperm cells of zebrafish, Danio rerio
Toxicology Reports, 2016
Cadmium is a natural element found in the earth's crust; it is usually associated with other metals, but due to the impacts caused by human activity, its concentration has increased in the aquatic environment. This metal may damage aquatic animal reproduction, decreasing the rate of fertilization of organisms such as fish. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of different concentrations of cadmium (0 (control), 0.5, 5, and 10 g/L) using sperm cells of model organism zebrafish, Danio rerio. Structural parameters, including integrity and fluidity of the plasma membrane, concentration of oxygen species, mitochondrial function and DNA fragmentation were measured by flow cytometry. The following sperm movement parameters were also measured using the computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system: motility, time of motility, curvilinear velocity, average path velocity and straight line velocity in m/s. Significant effects were observed on path speed, straight speed, curvilinear velocity, motility time, progressive and total motility, and plasma and DNA integrity. The results showed that cadmium can negatively affect some reproductive parameters in D. rerio, which may reduce the fertility rate of these animals.