Maternal transfer of xenobiotics and effects on larval striped bass in the San Francisco Estuary.
Aquatic ecosystems around the world face serious threats from anthropogenic contaminants. Results from 8 years of field and laboratory investigations indicate that sublethal contaminant exposure is occurring in the early life stages of striped bass in the San Francisco Estuary, a population in continual decline since its initial collapse during the 1970s. Biologically significant levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and current-use/legacy pesticides were found in all egg samples from river-collected fish. Developmental changes previously unseen with standard methods were detected with a technique using the principles of unbiased stereology. Abnormal yolk utilization, brain and liver development, and overall growth were observed in larvae from river-collected fish. Histopathological analyses confirmed and identified developmental alterations. Using this methodology enabled us to present a conclusive line of evidence for the maternal transfer of xenobiotics and their adverse effects on larval striped bass in this estuary.
Ostrach
David J
DJ
John Muir Institute of the Environment, Center for Watershed Sciences, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA. djostrach@ucdavis.edu
Low-Marchelli
Janine M
JM
Eder
Kai J
KJ
Whiteman
Shaleah J
SJ
Zinkl
Joe G
JG
D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D005398:Fisheries; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000633:toxicity; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D045483:Rivers; D012495:San Francisco; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000633:toxicity*; D015017:Yolk Sac / Q000187:drug effects
D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D010575:Pesticides; D014873:Water Pollutants; D015262:Xenobiotics; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls