Marine invertebrate sperm as an indicator of metal toxicity (original) (raw)

Elevated concentrations of metals have been reported in the marine environment globally where they have the capacity to be toxic to marine organisms. Of concern are the fertilisation and early development of marine invertebrates which are vulnerable to metal toxicity. Scientific and technological advances have enabled the development of numerous rapid, accurate, and semi-autonomous methods for the assessment of sperm. Consequently, sperm parameters are being recommended as rapid alternative endpoints to fertilisation success. For these parameters to be used as endpoints in water quality guideline derivation, ecological relevance needs to be demonstrated via a proven adverse outcome pathway (AOP). This research assessed the effects of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) to fertilisation success in the marine invertebrate Galeolaria caepitosa and found that the primary cause of toxicity was through effects on sperm. When the impact of a toxicant is to sperm, current protocols for fertilisation...