Acetylcholinesterase, an old biomarker with a new future? Field trials in association with two urban rivers and a paper mill in Newfoundland

Biomarker responses in wild three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) as a useful tool for freshwater biomonitoring: A multiparametric approach

“…Hence, compared to the preliminary investigation performed in sticklebacks sampled in Spring and in Autumn, the biomarker responses in the present study were characterised by a lack of gender difference according to the results previously reported in gudgeon (Faller et al, 2003;Flammarion and Garric, 1997). Moreover, the weight of fish length on AChE activity variations is strongly reduced and length can be ignored for data analysis as indicated in previous study (Payne et al, 1996).…”

“…However, one of the investigated biomarkers, the AChE activity showed a significant increase in fish from VDF compared to other sites. This variation was below the range of 20% that is recognised as indicative of exposure to neurotoxic compounds (Payne et al, 1996) and could be related to natural variability of this enzyme. The recorded EROD activity showed also interesting trends.…”

“…This could be reduced by an optimisation of sampling conditions (i.e. sampling during a short period, reduction of fish length range, increase of fish number) (Payne et al, 1996). (2) A better characterisation of confounding factors such as physico-chemical parameters in water and reproductive status of fish, could allow to explain the observed variability and to discriminate responses induced by pollutant exposure and background noise using appropriate statistical analysis (Sturm et al, 1999).…”

“…In the same sites, fish were probably exposed to various pollutants able to generate neurotoxic effects and oxidative stress as indicated by AChE inhibition and TBARS increase respectively. Historically, AChE has been described as a biomarker of exposure to organophosphates and carbamates, but several laboratory studies showed that this enzyme can be inhibited by other contaminants such as dioxin-like compounds (Payne et al, 1996). Many of these contaminants are also described as inducers of lipoperoxidation (i.e.…”

Effects of pesticides and antibiotics on penaeid shrimp with special emphases on behavioral and biomarker responses

“…With respect to neural functions, one of the enzymes of interest is AChE [89]. Many insecticides are toxic because they inhibit the animal nervous system enzyme AChE.…”