title: Chronic Effects of Fluoride Exposure on Growth, Metamorphosis, and Skeleton Development in Bufo gargarizans Larvae.
abstract: Bufo gargarizans tadpoles were chronically exposed to waterborne fluoride at measured concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 61.2 mg F-/L for 70 days from Gosner stage 26 to completion of metamorphosis. The chronic exposure caused a concentration-dependent mortality in all tested fluoride concentrations. Total length, snout-to-vent length (SVL), body mass, and developmental stage of tadpoles were significantly inhibited at 42.6 mg F-/L. In addition, significant metamorphic delay and increase in size at completion of metamorphosis occurred after exposure to 19.8 mg F-/L. Moreover, 19.8 mg F-/L suppressed the bone mineralization of larvae at completion of metamorphosis. However, the bone mineralization could be enhanced by 4.1 mg F-/L. In conclusion, our results suggested that the presence of high concentrations of fluoride could increase mortality risk, delay metamorphosis, and suppress skeletal ossification in B. gargarizans larvae.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, People's Republic of China.|Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, China.
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.
authors.forename: Hongyuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.
authors.forename: Hongfeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, People's Republic of China. 13619267636@163.com.|Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, China. 13619267636@163.com.
authors.forename: Suiming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002025:Bufonidae; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development*; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000187:drug effects*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D005459:Fluorides
keywords: Bufo gargarizans; Fluoride; Growth; Metamorphosis; Skeletal ossification