title: Gene expression and growth as indicators of effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus).
abstract: The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill has great potential to negatively affect estuarine fish populations. In order to assess possible impacts of this event, a series of sublethal lab experiments were performed, using the economically and ecologically important species spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). Larval and juvenile spotted seatrout were exposed to sublethal concentrations of high energy water accommodated fraction (HEWAF), chemically enhanced water accommodated fraction (CEWAF), or dispersant alone in an acute exposure. Response to exposure was evaluated with quantative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to examine expression of cytochrome P-4501A (CYP1A). Growth of larvae and juveniles over the duration of the experiment was measured as an index of physiological response. Our data showed that the different life stages respond differently to crude and dispersed oil, with larval spotted seatrout affected most by CEWAF, while juvenile spotted seatrout were affected to a greater extent by HEWAF. In both cases, the treatment with the highest CYP1A levels resulted in the greatest reductions in growth.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Coastal Sciences , University of Southern Mississippi , Ocean Springs , Mississippi , USA.
authors.forename: Rachel Aileen
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brewton
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fulford
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Griffitt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D060851:Gulf of America; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000633:toxicity; D010473:Perciformes / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D059392:Petroleum Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C470995:corexit 9500; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases