Effects of cadmium and PCBs on reproduction of the sea star Asterias rubens: aberrations in the early development.
In semifield experiments sea stars, Asterias rubens, were exposed to 25 micrograms Cd/liter or fed with mussels containing 0.6 microgram/g wet wt PCBs (Clophen A50). After 5 months of exposure, Cd concentrations in testes and ovaries were respectively 17 and 50 times higher than those in unexposed sea stars. PCB concentrations were respectively 7 and 9 times higher. With spermatozoa obtained from Cd- or PCB-exposed sea stars, normal fertilization could be achieved. However, maturation of oocytes from Cd-exposed animals was delayed and early development of embryos from Cd- or PCB-exposed animals was disturbed. Due to aberrations during the early development only 24 and 30% of the embryos obtained from Cd- or PCB-exposed sea stars, respectively, had developed to normal bipinnaria larvae after 1 week.
den Besten
P J
PJ
Research Group of Aquatic Toxicology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Herwig
H J
HJ
Zandee
D I
DI
Voogt
P A
PA
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013215:Starfish / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D002104:Cadmium; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls