Patterns of heritability of decreased EROD activity and resistance to PCB 126-induced teratogenesis in laboratory-reared offspring of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) from a creosote-contaminated site in the Elizabeth River, VA, USA.
Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) from a highly contaminated site on the Elizabeth River are resistant to the acute toxicity and the cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A)-inducing activity of both the sediments from the site and chemically pure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These effects are highly heritable for one generation, but heritable to a lesser degree by subsequent generations, in clean conditions in the laboratory. We show that offspring of this population of Elizabeth River killifish are also resistant to the teratogenicity and P4501A-inducing activity of PCB congener 126, a prototypical coplanar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon (HAH). Furthermore, the pattern of greater resistance to acute toxicity and P4501A-inducing activity in the first generation and less in subsequent generations is also observed upon exposure to PCB-126.
Meyer
Joel
J
Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences and Integrated Toxicology Program, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0328, USA. joel.meyer@duke.edu
Di Giulio
Richard
R
D000818:Animals; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D023781:Fundulidae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014873:Water Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; C023035:3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl