Maternal transfer, distribution, and metabolism of BDE-47 and its related hydroxylated, methoxylated analogs in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

OH-PBDEs have been reported to be more potent than the postulated precursor PBDEs or corresponding MeO-PBDEs. However, there are contradictory reports for transformation of these compounds in organisms, particularly, for biotransformation of OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs, only one study reported transformation of 6-OH-BDE-47 and 6-MeO-BDE-47 in Japanese medaka. In present study zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to BDE-47, 6-OH-BDE-47, 6-MeO-BDE-47, 2'-OH-BDE-28 and 2'-MeO-BDE-28 in the diet for 20 d. Concentrations of each exposed compound were measured in eggs collected on days 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20. After 20 d exposure, concentrations of precursor and biotransformation products in liver and liver-free residual carcass were measured by use of GC-MS/MS. Total mass of the five compounds in bodies of adults were: 2'-MeO-BDE-28 ∼ 6-MeO-BDE-47>BDE-47>2'-OH-BDE-28>6-OH-BDE-47. MeO-PBDEs were also accumulated more into parental fish body than in liver, while OH-PBDEs accumulated in liver more than in liver-free residual carcass. Concentrations in liver of males were greater than those of females. This result suggests sex-related differences in accumulation. Ratios between concentration in eggs and liver (E/L) were: 2.9, 1.7, 0.8, 0.4 and 0.1 for 6-MeO-BDE-47, BDE-47, 6-OH-BDE-47, 2'-MeO-BDE-28 and 2'-OH-BDE-28, respectively. This result suggests transfer from adult females to eggs. BDE-47 was not transformed into OH-PBDEs or MeO-PBDEs. Inter-conversions of 6-OH-BDE-47 and 6-MeO-BDE-47, 2'-OH-BDE-28 and 2'-MeO-BDE-28 were observed, with metabolite/precursor concentration ratios for 6-OH-BDE-47, 6-MeO-BDE-47, 2'-OH-BDE-28 and 2'-MeO-BDE-28 being 3.8%, 14.6%, 2.9% and 76.0%, respectively. Congener-specific differences were observed in distributions between liver and carcass, maternal transfer and transformation. The two MeO-PBDEs were accumulated into adults, transferred to eggs, and were transformed to the structural similar OH-PBDEs, which might be more toxic. BDE-47 was accumulated into adults and transferred from females to eggs, but not transformed to MeO-PBDEs and/or OH-PBDEs. Accumulation of OH-PBDEs into adults as well as rates of transformation of OH-PBDEs to MeO-PBDEs were all several orders of magnitude less. Thus, MeO-PBDEs are likely to present more of a risk in the environment.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their methoxylated metabolites in anchovy (Coilia sp.) from the Yangtze River Delta, China.

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their metabolites are toxic to animals, and concentrations of the PBDEs metabolites can exceed those of the parent materials. But no information was available on concentrations of PBDEs metabolites in the lower Yangtze River in the region around Jiangsu Province of China, which is heavily urbanized and industrialized area. The aims of this study were to determine whether PBDEs and their methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) were accumulated in Coilia sp. in this area and to investigate the potential sources for these two kinds of brominated organic pollutants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of four species of anchovy were collected from eight sites in the lower Yangtze River, Taihu Lake, and Hongzehu Lake. Concentrations of 13 PBDEs congeners and eight methoxylated PBDEs were determined by use of organic solvent extraction, followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The frequencies of detection for PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs were 92% and 53%, respectively. Concentrations of summation operatorPBDEs ranged from not detected (ND) to 77 ng/g lipids (ND-3.8 ng/g wet weight). Concentrations of summation operatorMeO-PBDEs in anchovy ranged from ND to 48 ng/g lipids (ND-8.2 ng/g wet weight). The PBDE concentrations in anchovy from the Yangtze River Delta were similar to or less than those reported for other species from other locations around the world, while the concentrations of MeO-PBDEs were comparable to or slightly less than those reported in other studies. This is the first report of MeO-PBDEs in biota of China. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study as well as those of other studies suggest that PBDEs in anchovy are primarily of synthetic origin and released by human activities, while MeO-PBDEs in anchovy are primarily from nature as natural products from the sea instead of metabolism of PBDEs in anchovy.