title: Comparative study about the effects of pollution on glass and yellow eels (Anguilla anguilla) from the estuaries of Minho, Lima and Douro Rivers (NW Portugal).
abstract: The health status of eels (Anguilla anguilla) developing in three estuaries of the NW Portuguese coast with different types and levels of pollution was compared in relation to morphometric parameters, Fulton condition index (F index) and several biomarkers. Relatively to the reference population, glass eels from the Lima estuary had lower weight and length, cholinesterase (ChE) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibition, and lower levels of some anti-oxidant parameters, while yellow eels also showed a decreased F index, and increased Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels. Relatively to the reference population, glass eels from the Douro estuary had increased Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and glutathione-S-transferase activities and LDH inhibition, while yellow eels also had ChE inhibition and increased LPO. Overall, these results indicate that eels from polluted estuaries showed a poor health status than those from a reference estuary, and that adverse effects become more pronounced after spending several years in polluted estuaries.
authors.affiliation: CIMAR-LA/CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Laboratório de Ecotoxicologia, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal. gravatoc@ciimar.up.pt
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gravato
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Lúcia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guilhermino
mesh_terms: D000811:Anguilla / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D049628:Body Size; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006836:Hydro-Lyases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011174:Portugal; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014876:Water Pollution
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D002802:Cholinesterases; D006836:Hydro-Lyases; C045581:lactate dehydratase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase