Document Detail


Exposure of Chironomus riparius larvae (diptera) to lead, mercury and beta-sitosterol: effects on mouthpart deformation and moulting.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11057685     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Mouthpart deformation in chironomid larvae is induced by exposure to chemical contaminants and is becoming an established bio-indicator in sediment assessment programmes. However, concentration-response relationships with causal agents have only been established occasionally and with varying success. In this laboratory study, instar II and III larvae were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of lead, mercury and beta-sitosterol. A significant deformation response was induced in the pecten with lead and mercury. Deformation frequencies of the mentum after metal exposures were not significantly different from the control. Moulting was retarded by both metals and was well correlated with mouthpart deformation. The beta-sitosterol is an endocrine disruptor, which was used to test the hypothetical cause-effect relation between disruption of ecdyson functioning and chironomid deformation. In the present study, exposure to sublethal concentrations of beta-sitosterol did not result in any effect on deformation or moulting. As such, the proposed hypothesis of endocrine disruptors as primary causal agents of chironomid deformation could not be substantiated. Acetone, which was used as a solvent to apply beta-sitosterol caused a significant increase of mentum deformation. The ground filtration paper used as substrate seemed to induce deformities as well. Substrate contamination, acetone and (especially) inbreeding were most probably responsible for the high deformation frequencies in the control conditions.
Authors:
A C Vermeulen; G Liberloo; P Dumont; F Ollevier; B Goddeeris
Related Documents :
12711935 - The effects of chronic ethanol consumption during early pregnancy on conceptus health a...
10201105 - A case study of behavioral assessment and treatment of insect phobia.
17590995 - Acetaldehyde adducts in circulation.
1432435 - Cognitive and behavioral deficits in nonhuman primates associated with very early embry...
6702415 - Scanning electron microscopy of exposed surfaces of the porcine placenta.
7536005 - Markedly elevated alpha-fetoprotein and positive acetylcholinesterase in amniotic fluid...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Chemosphere     Volume:  41     ISSN:  0045-6535     ISO Abbreviation:  Chemosphere     Publication Date:  2000 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-11-02     Completed Date:  2000-11-09     Revised Date:  2003-11-14    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0320657     Medline TA:  Chemosphere     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1581-91     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Chironomidae / growth & development*
Environmental Pollutants / analysis,  toxicity
Larva / drug effects*
Lead / toxicity*
Mercury / toxicity*
Molting / drug effects*
Mouth / drug effects
Sitosterols / toxicity*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Environmental Pollutants; 0/Sitosterols; 5779-62-4/sitosterol; 7439-92-1/Lead; 7439-97-6/Mercury

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Hematology and serum chemistries of nestling bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the lower pen...
Next Document:  Tissue, sex and age specific accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) by populations of the mol...