Effects of a Mixture of Non-Ortho- And Mono-Ortho-Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Reproduction in Fundulus Heteroclitus (Linnaeus)

Abstract

Abstract-To assess the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on reproduction, female Fundulus heteroclitus were exposed to a mixture of non-ortho-and mono-ortho-PCBs, mimicking the mixture found in fish collected from New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts, USA, a PCB-contaminated estuary. Exposure was by intraperitoneal injection of the mixture dissolved in corn oil. Doses of 0.76, 3.8, and 19 g PCB mixture per gram of wet weight produced liver concentrations of 2.99, 12.2, and 32.8 g nonortho-and mono-ortho-PCBs per gram of dry liver, with dioxin toxic equivalency concentrations (TEQs) of 0.063, 0.409, and 0.720 ng/g, respectively. Female mortality was 58%, and egg production was reduced by 77% at the highest dose, compared to controls. Food consumption declined with increasing PCB concentration, suggesting that PCBs act indirectly to reduce fecundity through an energetic effect. Pituitary gonadotropin content appeared to be suppressed at the highest dose, but the ability of ovarian follicles to produce estradiol and testosterone in vitro was not impaired. Significant residue-effects linkages were found, with TEQ emerging as a potential indicator of adverse effects. Mortality was directly related, and egg production was inversely related to log 10 TEQ. Multiple regression analysis indicated that egg production was directly related to pituitary gonadotropin content and food consumption.

Genetic diversity and structure of an estuarine fish (Fundulus heteroclitus) indigenous to sites associated with a highly contaminated urban harbor

“…However, F. heteroclitus from relatively uncontaminated areas are unable to reproduce or survive in the laboratory when exposed to PCB levels similar to those in NBH biota (e.g., Black et al 1998b;Nacci et al 1999Nacci et al , 2002a. While several mechanisms could reconcile this apparent contradiction, persistence of mummichog in NBH is explained (at least partially) by inherited tolerance to the most toxic PCB congeners (Nacci et al 1999(Nacci et al , 2002a.…”

Uptake of PCBs contained in marine sediments by the green macroalga Ulva rigida

“…C/C o = 1). Included in the congeners accumulated are four reported to be harmful to marine animals and humans, namely the non-ortho substituted dioxin-like congener 77, and mono-ortho substituted dioxin-like congeners 105, 118 and 123 (Ahlborg et al, 1994;Black et al, 1998).…”

Detection of decreased quantities of actively spawning female Fundulus heteroclitus in tidally restricted marshes relative to restored and reference sites

“…Reductions in fecundity occur when food consumption declines (Black et al 1998;Wallace and Selman 1978) or when body condition is poor with fish forgoing ovulation and spawning while channeling energy to growth and survival (Jorgensen et al 2006). Reduced access to prey inhabiting the marsh surface can decrease weight gain and the growth rate of F. heteroclitus in comparison to those only having access to the creek bed (Javonillo et al 1997;Minello et al Fig.…”

“…Fish allocation of acquired energy to somatic growth versus energy storage also influences reproductive success in teleost fish since those without sufficient reserves may forgo spawning and/or reabsorb oocytes (Black et al 1998;Selman 1978, 1980). Fish fecundity is proportional to body mass, such that a 25 % increase in body length can double fish fecundity (Jorgensen et al 2006).…”