Methylmercury Content of Eggs in Yellow Perch Related to Maternal Exposure in Four Wisconsin Lakes

Hammerschmidt, Chad R.; Wiener, James G.; Frazier, Bradley E.; Rada, Ronald G.

doi:10.1021/es980948h

Cited by 93 publications

(97 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Concentrations of THg were strongly correlated with MMHg in whole bodies for all species, as well as in all tissues sampled in B. americanus, suggesting that MMHg concentrations in amphibians can be predicted from THg concentrations. Similar correlations have been observed for carcasses and tissues in other organisms (e.g., [37,38]). While this relationship may hold true at other locations, the slope is likely to change due to the differences in THg concentrations in various systems.…”

Section: Mercury Bioaccumulation and Speciationsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…The present study is the first to describe a correlative relationship between female and egg Hg concentrations. Similar to the functional relationships observed for several fish species [32,37,45,48], concentrations of THg and MMHg in eggs were positively correlated with the concentrations in the maternal carcass in B. americanus (Fig. 3A), clearly indicating that Hg transfer to the eggs is related to Hg exposure of the female.…”

Section: Maternal Transfer Of Mercury and Selenium In Bufo Americanussupporting

confidence: 81%

“…While the transfer of Hg from a female to her offspring has been confirmed in several fish and bird species [37,38,[45][46][47], it has only been examined in one other species of amphibian [19][20][21]. The present study is the first to describe a correlative relationship between female and egg Hg concentrations.…”

Section: Maternal Transfer Of Mercury and Selenium In Bufo Americanusmentioning

confidence: 67%

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Bioaccumulation and maternal transfer of mercury and selenium in amphibians

Bergeron

Bodinof

Unrine

et al. 2010

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Amphibian population declines have been documented worldwide and environmental contaminants are believed to contribute to some declines. Maternal transfer of bioaccumulated contaminants to offspring may be an important and overlooked mechanism of impaired reproductive success that affects amphibian populations. Mercury (Hg) is of particular concern due to its ubiquity in the environment, known toxicity to other wildlife, and complex relationships with other elements, such as selenium (Se). The objectives of the present study were to describe the relationships between total Hg (THg), methlymercury (MMHg), and Se in three amphibian species (Plethodon cinereus, Eurycea bislineata cirrigera, and Bufo americanus) along a Hg-polluted river and floodplain, and to determine if B. americanus maternally transfers Hg and Se to its eggs in a tissue residue-dependent manner. Total Hg and MMHg concentrations in all species spanned two orders of magnitude between the reference and contaminated areas, while Se concentrations were generally low in all species at both sites. Strong positive relationships between THg and MMHg in tissues of all species were observed throughout. Both Hg and Se were maternally transferred from females to eggs in B. americanus, but the percentage of the females' Hg body burden transferred to eggs was low compared with Se. In addition, Hg concentrations appeared to positively influence the amount of Se transferred from female to eggs. The present study is the first to confirm a correlation between Hg concentrations in female carcass and eggs in amphibians and among the first to describe co-transference of Se and Hg in an anamniotic vertebrate. The results suggest future work is needed to determine whether maternal transfer of Hg has transgenerational implications for amphibian progeny.

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Section: Mercury Bioaccumulation and Speciationsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Maternal Transfer Of Mercury and Selenium In Bufo Americanussupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Maternal Transfer Of Mercury and Selenium In Bufo Americanusmentioning

confidence: 67%

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Bioaccumulation and maternal transfer of mercury and selenium in amphibians

Bergeron

Bodinof

Unrine

et al. 2010

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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“…A recent study suggests that the primary reason for higher litter THg concentrations in N. sipedon is that they have higher exposure to Hg as indicated by high maternal blood THg concentrations when compared to other species [14]. Studies of other vertebrate species at the South River report mean %MeHg values up to 91% as well as positive relationships between THg concentrations and %MeHg in eggs [4,27,28]. Nerodia sipedon neonates also exhibited high %MeHg (95 AE 0.45%) but, unlike other species, showed a constant relationship between %MeHg and THg concentrations in litters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High levels of maternally transferred mercury do not affect reproductive output or embryonic survival of northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon)

Chin

Willson

Cristol

et al. 2013

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Abstract-Maternal transfer is an important exposure pathway for contaminants because it can directly influence offspring development. Few studies have examined maternal transfer of contaminants, such as mercury (Hg), in snakes, despite their abundance and high trophic position in many ecosystems where Hg is prevalent. The objectives of the present study were to determine if Hg is maternally transferred in northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) and to evaluate the effects of maternal Hg on reproduction. The authors captured gravid female watersnakes (n ¼ 31) along the South River in Waynesboro, Virginia, USA, where an extensive Hg-contamination gradient exists. The authors measured maternal tissue and litter Hg concentrations and, following birth, assessed (1) reproductive parameters (i.e., litter size and mass, neonate mass); (2) rates of infertility, death during development, stillbirths, malformations, and runts; and (3) the overall viability of offspring. Mercury concentrations in females were strongly and positively correlated with concentrations in litters, suggesting that N. sipedon maternally transfer Hg in proportion to their tissue residues. Maternal transfer resulted in high concentrations (up to 10.10 mg/kg dry wt total Hg) of Hg in offspring. The authors found little evidence of adverse effects of Hg on these measures of reproductive output and embryonic survival, suggesting that N. sipedon may be more tolerant of Hg than other vertebrate species. Given that this is the first study to examine the effects of maternally transferred contaminants in snakes and that the authors did not measure all reproductive endpoints, further research is needed to better understand factors that influence maternal transfer and associated sublethal effects on offspring. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:619-626. # 2012 SETAC

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“…Migrations, breeding and fasting represent a high energy demand on the body, and the toxicokinetics of pollutants in the tissues may vary during these periods. While these processes have been described for fishes and marine mammals (Nicoletto and Hendricks, 1988;Hammerschmidt et al, 1999;Debier et al, 2003aDebier et al, ,b, 2006Van de Vijver et al, 2004;Greig et al, 2007), little is known for marine turtles. Indeed, like the marine mammals, the marine turtles also go through phases, namely migration, breeding, fasting and the laying of eggs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal transfer of trace elements in leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) of French Guiana

2008

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a b s t r a c tIn sea turtles, parental investment is limited to the nutrients and energy invested in eggs that will support embryonic development. Leatherback females have the largest clutches with the biggest eggs of the sea turtles and the highest reproductive output in reptiles. The migration between foraging sites and nesting beaches also represents high energy expenditure. The toxicokinetic of pollutants in the tissues is thus expected to vary during those periods but there is a lack of information in reptiles. Concentrations of essential (Copper, Zinc, Selenium) and non-essentials elements (Cadmium, Lead, Mercury) were determined in blood (n = 78) and eggs (n = 76) of 46 free-ranging leatherback females collected in French Guiana. Maternal transfer to eggs and relationships between blood and eggs concentrations during the nesting season were investigated. All trace elements were detectable in both tissues. Levels of toxic metals were lower than essential elements likely due to the high pelagic nature of leatherbacks that seems to limit exposure to toxic elements. Significant relationships between blood and egg concentrations were observed for Se and Cd. Se could have an important role in embryonic development of leatherback turtles and Cd transfer could be linked to similar carrier proteins as Se. Finally, as multiple clutches were sampled from each female, trends in trace elements were investigated along the nesting season. No change was observed in eggs but changes were recorded in blood concentrations of Cu. Cu level decreased while blood Pb levels increased through the nesting season. The high demand on the body during the breeding season seems to affect blood Cu concentrations. Calcium requirement for egg production with concomitant Pb mobilization could explain the increase in blood Pb concentrations along the nesting season.

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Methylmercury Content of Eggs in Yellow Perch Related to Maternal Exposure in Four Wisconsin Lakes

Cited by 93 publications

References 26 publications

Bioaccumulation and maternal transfer of mercury and selenium in amphibians

Bioaccumulation and maternal transfer of mercury and selenium in amphibians

High levels of maternally transferred mercury do not affect reproductive output or embryonic survival of northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon)

Maternal transfer of trace elements in leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) of French Guiana

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