Automated interpulse duration assessment (AIDA) in the shore crab Carcinus maenas in response to copper exposure |
| |
Authors: | A-K Lundebye M H Depledge |
| |
Institution: | (1) Plymouth Environmental Research Centre & Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK, GB |
| |
Abstract: | The effects of acute (24 h) and chronic (4␣weeks) copper exposure and subsequent recovery in “clean” conditions on cardiac
activity were examined in shore crabs ( Carcinus maenas). Cardiac activity was monitored by automated interpulse duration assessment (AIDA) which permits detection of irregularities
in cardiac rhythms in selected invertebrates. Mean interpulse durations, maximum interpulse durations and coefficients of
variation were significantly affected by exposure to copper for 24 h and 4 weeks. Mean interpulse durations decreased reflecting
an increase in heart rate, whereas maximum interpulse durations and coefficients of variation increased with increasing exposure
concentration. Recovery of normal cardiac activity was evident following a 6-week recovery period in “clean” conditions. However,
high levels of mortality were seen among crabs exposed to the two highest copper concentrations (0.6 and 0.8 mg l−1 Cu). The extent of recovery was assessed by subjecting the surviving crabs to a physiological challenge. There were no apparent
differences in circulatory response to physiological challenge between crabs previously exposed to copper and control crabs.
Gill copper concentrations were significantly elevated in crabs that had previously been exposed to copper, despite their
return to “clean” sea water for 6 weeks. Midgut gland wet weight/dry weight ratios, haemolymph total protein and midgut gland
metallothionein concentrations did not reflect the previous copper exposure. The findings of the present study indicate that
AIDA may be a valuable tool for use in toxicity testing.
Received: 24 March 1997 / Accepted: 21 October 1997 |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|