Endocrine disruption caused by the aquatic exposure to aluminum and manganese in Astyanax altiparanae (Teleostei: Characidae) females during the final ovarian maturation.

Aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) can be toxic to aquatic biota and cause endocrine disruption in fish, affecting reproduction. This study evaluates the physiological responses of the ray-finned teleost fish Astyanax altiparanae vitellogenic females after acute exposure (96 h) to Al and Mn (alone and combined) in acid pH followed by the same period of exposure to metal-free water in neutral pH. The aim of this second period of exposure was to assess the recovery capacity from the toxic effects these metals. Five experimental groups were established: a control in neutral pH (Ctrl), and acidic pH (Ac), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and Al + Mn groups, maintaining the acidic pH in the groups to which metals were added. The following biological parameters were evaluated: metal tissue concentration, relative fecundity (RF: absolute fecundity/body mass). Plasma levels of cortisol (proxy for stress) and 17α hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OHP), and gene expression of pituitary lhß mRNA (proxies for final maturation) were measured to evaluate endocrine disruption. In the synchronic exposure, the presence of Mn potentiated the accumulation of Al in gills. The females from acidic pH and Al groups showed a reduced RF. Exposure to Al and Mn triggered an endocrine disruption response, evidenced by a decrease in the plasma concentration of 17α-OHP and cortisol. Despite this anti-steroidogenic effect, no changes occurred in the pituitary gene expression of lhß. The endocrine changes and the metal accumulation were temporary, while the impacts on RF under the experimental conditions suggest permanent impairment in the reproduction of this species.

Aluminum bioconcentration in female Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) and the effects on pituitary gonadotropins.

In this study, we measured aluminum (Al) bioconcentration in the brain, ovaries, and liver of Oreochromis niloticus females, and analyzed the effects of exposure to Al and acidic pH on the gene expression of follicle-stimulating hormone (ßfsh) and luteinizing hormone (ßlh) in these animals. Mature females were divided into 4 groups, thus being maintained for 96 h in one of the following conditions: control at neutral pH (Ctr); Al at neutral pH (Al); acidic pH (Ac), and Al at acidic pH (Al-Ac). pH alone did not influence Al bioconcentration in the brain. The animals from the Al-Ac group bioconcentrated more Al in the ovaries than those from the Al group, while no differences were observed in the liver. Aluminum bioconcentration was higher in the brain than in the liver and ovaries in Al-exposed animals (Al and Al-Ac), and higher in the brain than in the ovaries in the Ctr and Ac groups. The liver bioconcentrates more Al than the ovaries in the females from the Ctr and Ac groups. Aluminum and/or acidic pH did not alter ßfsh gene expression, while ßlh gene expression decreased in females from the Al group. Aluminum acted as an endocrine disruptor, suggesting deleterious effects in reproduction that could result in ovulation failure. Aluminum can act directly and/or indirectly in the pituitary, affecting ovarian steroidogenesis and altering the reproductive endocrine axis of mature O. niloticus females in an acute period of exposure.

Plasma energetic substrates and hepatic enzymes in the four-eyed fish Anableps anableps (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes) during the dry and rainy seasons in the Amazonian Island of Maracá, extreme north of Brazil

ABSTRACT Anableps anableps is a viviparous teleost typical from Amazon Delta estuaries. It is representative of this biome in Maracá, which offers a potential for biomonitoring. The aim of this study is to apply different biomarkers to males and females of this species and verify possible seasonal influences on their physiology. To collect fish, three expeditions were carried out from the rainy season of April 2018 to the rainy season of February 2019. Biometric parameters and gonadosomatic (GSI), hepatosomatic (HSI), and viscerosomatic (VSI) indexes were calculated, and blood samples were taken to measure triglycerides, total proteins, glucose, and activity of the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The GSI of males is higher in the rainy season and of females in the dry season. This is probably related to the embryogenesis process. Males show an increase in biomass during the dry season, a metabolic homogeneity, and females show an increase in plasma glucose, triglycerides, and ALT activity. The tested biomarkers are potential for biomonitoring, preliminarily suggesting that there is a seasonal asynchronism between males and females of A. anableps as for the allocation of energy resources at different times of their life cycle.

RESUMO Anableps anableps é um teleósteo vivíparo típico de estuários do Delta do Rio Amazonas, sendo representativo deste bioma na ilha de Maracá, com potencial para o biomonitoramento. O objetivo deste estudo foi aplicar diferentes biomarcadores em machos e fêmeas desta espécie e verificar a possível influência sazonal em aspectos de sua fisiologia. Para a coleta dos peixes foram realizadas três expedições, de abril/2018 (estação chuvosa), setembro/2018 (estação seca) até fevereiro/2019 (estação chuvosa). Foram obtidos parâmetros biométricos, índices gonadossomático (IGS), hepatossomático (IHS), viscerossomático (IVS) e amostras de sangue para dosagem de triglicerídeos, proteínas totais, glicose e a atividade das enzimas aspartato aminotransferase (AST), alanina aminotransferase (ALT) e fosfatase alcalina (ALP). O IGS dos machos foi maior na estação chuvosa e das fêmeas na estação seca, isso provavelmente ocorreu devido ao processo de embriogênese. Os machos aumentaram a biomassa na estação seca e apresentaram homogeneidade metabólica, já as fêmeas apresentaram hiperglicemia, hipertrigliceridemia e maior atividade da ALT. Os biomarcadores testados mostraram-se promissores para o biomonitoramento, sugerindo de forma preliminar que há um assincronismo sazonal entre machos e fêmeas de A. anableps na alocação de recursos energéticos em diferentes momentos do seu ciclo de vida.

Water temperature and acid pH influence the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of aluminum in the freshwater teleost Astyanax altiparanae (Teleostei: Characidae).

The toxicity of metals, including aluminum (Al), can be potentiated by temperature and acid pH, a concern in view of the current global warming scenario. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioconcentration of Al in the testes and semen of Astyanax altiparanae and the potential of this metal, at different environmental temperatures and acid pH, to cause cytotoxicity and genotocixity in erythrocytes and spermatozoa. A. altiparanae males were divided into nine experimental groups: at each of three different water temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C), the fish were exposed to a neutral pH, an acid pH and acidic water containing Al (0.5 mg.L-1). The fish were subjected to subacute, semi-static exposure and sampled at 24 and 96 h. After each exposure period the comet assay (blood and semen) and micronucleus test (blood) were performed. Bioconcentration of Al was evaluated in the testes and semen. Exposure time and temperature influenced the Al bioconcentration pattern in the testes. Al concentration in the semen was higher in fish exposed at 20 and 25 °C (24 h). The DNA fragmentation score for the semen and blood was higher in fish exposed to Al at 20 (24 h) and 30 °C (96 h). The frequency of nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes was higher in the group exposed to Al at 30 °C (96 h). It was concluded that Al bioconcentrates in the testes and semen of A. altiparanae at different temperatures and is potentially cytotoxic and genotoxic to erythrocytes and spermatozoa in this species.

Stress-reducing and anesthetic effects of the essential oils of Aloysia triphylla and Lippia alba on Serrasalmus eigenmanni (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae)

Anesthetic effect of Aloysia triphylla and Lippia alba essential oils (EOs) in the Amazonian fish Serrasalmus eigenmanni was evaluated. The fish were placed in aquaria containing A. triphylla or L. alba EOs (25 to 200 µL L-1). Then, fish were transferred to aquaria containing EO-free water to evaluate their recovery time. In another experiment, fish were transferred to aquaria containing A. triphylla or L. alba EOs (3 to 10 µL L-1) and swimming behavior was analyzed for up to 240 min of exposure. Water samples were collected at 0 and 240 min and blood samples were collected at 240 min. Tested concentrations induced all stages of anesthesia, except 25 µL L-1 A. triphylla EO and 50 µL L-1 L. alba EO, which only induced sedation. Prolonged exposure to both EOs reduced swimming time compared to the control at all evaluated times. The fish exposed to 3 µL L-1 A. triphylla EO showed a lower net K+ efflux compared to ethanol-exposed fish; in those exposed to 5 µL L-1, ammonia excretion was reduced. The blood parameters did not show significant differences between treatments. In conclusion, both EOs can be used as anesthetics and sedatives for transport of S. eigenmanni.(AU)

Avaliou-se o efeito anestésico dos óleos essenciais de Aloysia triphylla e de Lippia alba no peixe amazônico Serrasalmus eigenmanni. Os peixes foram colocados em aquários contendo OEs de A. triphylla ou L. alba (25 a 200 µL L-1). Após, foram transferidos para aquários com água sem anestésicos para avaliar o tempo de recuperação. Em outro experimento, peixes foram transferidos para aquários contendo OEs de A. triphylla ou L. alba (3 a 10 µL L-1) e o comportamento natatório foi analisado até 240 min de exposição. Foram coletadas amostras de água em 0 e 240 min e de sangue em 240 min. As concentrações testadas induziram todos estágios de anestesia, exceto 25 µL L-1 OE de A. triphylla e 50 µL L-1 OE de L. alba, que causaram somente sedação. Exposição prolongada a ambos OEs reduziu o tempo de natação comparado ao controle. Peixes expostos a 3 µL L-1 OE de A. triphylla apresentaram menor efluxo de K+ comparado aos expostos ao etanol e nos expostos a 5 µL L-1 a excreção de amônia reduziu. Parâmetros sanguíneos não diferiram entre tratamentos. Conclui-se que ambos OEs podem ser utilizados como anestésicos e no transporte de S. eigenmanni.(AU)

Nickel toxicity to cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) differs seasonally and among the black, white and clear river waters of the Amazon basin.

This study investigated the acute toxicity of nickel (Ni) to cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi), within the three main water types of the Amazon basin: black (Rio Negro), white (Rio Solimões) and clear (Rio Tapajós) during the wet and dry season at pH 7 (representative of white and clear rivers) and pH 4 (representative of black waters). The influence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) quality on Ni toxicity within the three waters was also explored via the use of DOC isolates. Differences in water chemistry, DOC quality and ion concentrations were shown between waters and between seasons. Toxicity of Ni was shown to vary between river waters, seasons, and pHs. Ni was significantly less toxic during the dry season at pH 4 in all three river waters; for example, black water during the wet season had an LC50 of 9.72 mg Ni/L compared to 41.5 mg Ni/L during the dry season. At pH 7, contrasting effects in toxicity between seasons were shown between black and clear waters (black: wet = 28.9 mg/L, dry = 17.3 mg/L; clear: wet = 13.8 mg/L, dry = 24.1 mg/L). There were no significant differences in Ni toxicity for white waters at pH 7 (white: wet = 22.2 mg/L, dry = 21.8). Overall, Ni was shown to be more toxic at pH 7 than at pH 4 except in black water during the wet season. Toxicity of Ni at pH 4 was positively related to DOC concentration and amount of humic-like and fulvic-like DOC and negatively related to fluorescence index. Therefore, at pH 4, Ni is more toxic in waters containing more allochthonous DOC, consisting of higher amounts of humic-like and fulvic-like components. LC50 values for the different DOC concentrates at the same DOC concentration of 4.5 mg/L (black: 26.8 mg/L; white: 73.3 mg/L; clear: 49.2) support the river water findings at pH 4 (Ni more toxic in presence of black DOC) indicating that DOC quality alone can influence Ni toxicity at this pH.