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The Effects of Chronic Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Levels of Waterborne Cadmium on Reproductive Capacity and Behaviour in Fathead Minnows

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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a priority pollutant in aquatic ecosystems because of its highly toxic effects at low concentrations. Recent work has highlighted that at sublethal concentrations, Cd can impair the ability of fish to respond to important sensory cues. In the present study, we examined whether chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of waterborne Cd (1, 2.5 and 5 μg/L) can result in reproductive impairment in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) as measured by the standard Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 21-day reproductive assay. In addition, we also evaluated the effects of chronic waterborne Cd exposure on Cd accumulation in target tissues (liver and ovary) and plasma estradiol level in females and on the reproductive behaviour of fathead minnows. We found that the standard endpoints used in the OECD reproductive assays (e.g., egg production, number of spawning attempts, brood size) are more sensitive to Cd exposure than behavioural endpoints; however, the traditional method of interpreting reproductive impairment may underestimate toxic effects. Cadmium accumulation in liver and ovary of fish increased with increasing Cd exposure concentrations; however, plasma estradiol level remained unaffected. Reproductive capacity in fathead minnows decreased at waterborne Cd concentrations as low as 1 μg/L. The findings of our study have important implications for understanding the effects of chronic Cd exposure in metal-impacted feral fish populations.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Histological analysis instructions were provided by Lynn Weber. Fish estradiol analysis was instructed by David Janz and assisted by Brandon Demuth. Aditya Manek provided assistance with sampling of fish blood.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada

    Yinxian Wang, Zachary Hoover, Douglas P. Chivers & Som Niyogi

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Maud C. O. Ferrari

  3. Department of Zoology, Islamia College, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

    Ali M. Yousafzai

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  1. Yinxian Wang
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  2. Maud C. O. Ferrari
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Correspondence to Som Niyogi.

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Wang, Y., Ferrari, M.C.O., Hoover, Z. et al. The Effects of Chronic Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Levels of Waterborne Cadmium on Reproductive Capacity and Behaviour in Fathead Minnows. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 67, 181–191 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0018-6

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