Molecular effects and bioaccumulation of levonorgestrel in the non-target organism Dreissena polymorpha.
Bioaccumulation and effects of the contraceptive hormone levonorgestrel were examined in the non-target organism Dreissena polymorpha. Molecular biomarkers of biotransformation, elimination, antioxidant defence and protein damage were analyzed after exposure to increasing concentrations of levonorgestrel in a flow-through system. The lowest concentration (0.312 μg L(-1)) was 100-fold bioconcentrated within four days. A decrease of the bioconcentration factor was observed within one week for the highest test concentrations (3.12 and 6.24 μg L(-1)) suggesting enhanced excretory processes. The immediate mRNA up-regulation of pi class glutathione S-transferase proved that phase II biotransformation processes were induced. Disturbance of fundamental cell functions was assumed since the aryl hydrocarbon receptor has been permanently down-regulated. mRNA up-regulation of P-glycoprotein, superoxide dismutase and metallothioneine suggested enhanced elimination processes and ongoing oxidative stress. mRNA up-regulation of heat shock protein 70 in mussels exposed to the two highest concentrations clearly indicated impacts on protein damage.
Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: contardo@igb-berlin.de.
Valeska
V
Contardo-Jara
Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: claudia.lorenz@igb-berlin.de.
Claudia
C
Lorenz
Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: pflugmacher@igb-berlin.de.
Stephan
S
Pflugmacher
Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: nuetzmann@igb-berlin.de.
Gunnar
G
Nützmann
Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: werner.kloas@igb-berlin.de.
Werner
W
Kloas
University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Biology, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark. Electronic address: wiegand@biology.sdu.dk.
Claudia
C
Wiegand
D000818:Animals; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000633:toxicity; D049875:Dreissena / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi / Q000235:genetics; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi