Testicular damage after chronic exposure to carbendazim in male goats

The present investigation was aimed to determine the effect of chronic exposure of carbendazim on cellular changes in testes of male goats. The goats were randomly divided into two groups, control and treatment (N?=?7 each). The treatment group was exposed to carbendazim at the dose rate of 50?mg?kg^?1 body weight per day orally, once daily for 180 consecutive days. Testes were removed from control and experimental animals surgically on the 90th, 120th, and 180th day. On the 180th day of the treatment, a maximum number of seminiferous tubules became atrophic, and vacuolization of germinal epithelium, and sloughing of the germinal epithelium and sertoli cells was more marked as compared to days 90 and 120. Some of the seminiferous tubules were devoid of germinal cells. These pathological findings were supported by ultrathin and electron microscopic examination. On the basis of the present investigation it could be concluded that chronic exposure of carbendazim in male goats did not allow proper maturation of testis.     

Post natal antioxidant enzyme activity of rat brain regions during developmental lead exposure

This study reports the effects of low level developmental Pb exposure on specific brain regions like hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres of antioxidant enzyme activities. Wistar dams were exposed to 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 500 ppm of Pb acetate in drinking water during pregnancy and lactation (gestation day 6 through PND 21 (post natal day) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GR) were determined in the hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres of pups during treatment period (PND 7, 14, and 21 days) and also during withdrawl period (PND 35, 45, 60 and 90 days). During treatment period, SOD activity significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in all regions of all the treated groups with maximum decrease in 500 ppm treated group of 21 days, while GSH-Px and GR activities increased with maximum increase in 21 days aged 500 ppm group. During withdrawl period, the activities of all enzymes were significantly (p < 0.05) reversed. Thus the perinatal exposure of dams to variable dosages of low level lead results in characteristic neurochemical alterations in rat brain regions due to impaired antioxidants function.     

Effect of formaldehyde exposure on structure and function of epididymis in adult rats: a histological and biochemical study

Formaldehyde (FA), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, is extensively used in hospitals, laboratories, and industrial settings. Previous studies showed that FA exerts adverse effects on testicular function and as epididymis is known to play an important role in the maturation and storage of sperm, the effects of FA were examined on epididymis. In particular, this study was designed to investigate the influence of FA on structure and function of epididymis in adult male rats using histological and biochemical methods. Sprague-Dawley adult rats were randomly allotted to three groups and exposed to FA at a 0 (control), 0.5, or 10 mg m^?3 by inhalation for 28 days. The results indicated that epididymal toxicity of FA was concentration dependent. Epdididymal structure and function in rats of 0.5 mg m^?3 FA exposure group showed no apparent difference from control. However, epididymal weight, sperm count and motility, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly decreased, whereas the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased in epididymis of rats exposed to 10 mg m^?3 FA. Moreover, microscopy with hematoxylin and eosin (H&;E) staining showed atrophy of epididymal tubules, disintegration of epididymal epithelium, disorganization, and even vacuolar denaturalization of epididymal epithelial cells. There was hyperemia in interstitial vasculature and lumina were oligozoospermic in rats of 10 mg m^?3 FA exposure group. In conclusion, FA exposure alters the epididymal structure and function by inducing oxidative stress in epididymis of adult rats.     

A comparitive study between the coal-biomass briquette and raw coal in SO2 pollution and adverse effects in rabbits

This study was conducted to evaluate the adverse health effects on rabbits exposed to SO₂ emitted indoors from burning coals, and compare differences between coal-biomass briquette (B.B.) and raw coal (R.C.). Thirty-six male rabbits were divided equally into three groups at random, and then exposed to burning R.C., B.B., and the third without burning coal (Control) for 90 days. Data showed that the average concentration of SO₂ in 24?h in R.C. was 13.04?mg?m^?3, which was 5-fold greater than B.B. (2.68?mg?m^?3) and 31-fold higher than control (0.41?mg?m^?3). After 45 days, the numbers of rabbits, with increased frequency of Comet cell was highest in R.C. After 90 days, the % positive Comet cell was significant at 10.36% in R.C., 5.42% in B.B., and 1.73% in Control. There was a nonlinear dose–effect relationship between % positive Comet cell and the concentration of SO₂. The incidence of interstitial pneumonia was 6/12 in R.C. and 4/12 in B.B. showing severe squamous metaplasia with atypical hyperplasia in bronchial epithelia in R.C. animals. The results of study indicate that use of B.B. reduced the emission of SO₂; but the smoke emitted from burning coal still produced DNA damage.     

Sublethal effects of chronic oil exposure on the intertidal clam Macoma balthica

When exposed to Prudhoe Bay crude oil in flowing seawater for 180 days, the small intertidal clam Macoma balthica showed behavioral, physical, physiological and biochemical changes. At a high concentration of oil in seawater (3.0 mg l^-1) burrowing rate decreased, respiration rate increased, growth was inhibited, and very high mortalities resulted. The lowest concentration of oil in seawater (0.03 mg l^-1) inhibited growth and caused reabsorption of gametes. One group of adverse oil effects which was related to sluggishness and disorientation of the clams appeared after a week of exposure to oil; another group related to a negative energy balance was not observed until 60 days. We conclude that chronic exposure of M. balthica to oil-in-seawater concentrations even as low as 0.03 mg l^-1 will, in time, lead to population decreases.Please address requests for reprints to Dr. D. G. Shaw at the Institute of Marine Science     

Effects of chronic bisphenol A exposure on hepatic antioxidant parameters in medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Bisphenol A (BPA), the plastic monomer and plasticizer with well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical properties, is widely present in the aquatic environment, but little is known regarding hepatic toxicity in fish. This study assessed the effects of chronic exposure to BPA on the antioxidant defense system of Japanese medaka liver. Fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of BPA (0.1, 1, 10, 100, or 1000?µg?L^?1) for 60 days. Antioxidant parameters were determined and compared with controls. The results showed that the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and the content of reduced glutathione were all induced at 10?µg?L^?1 BPA after 60 days. Further, hepatic CAT was sensitive to BPA at 1?µg?L^?1 concentration. In conclusion, CAT may serve as a potential early biomarker of BPA exposure in aquatic environment.     

Changes in nutritive value of fish, Channa punctatus after chronic exposure to zinc

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the effects of sublethal concentrations of zinc (0.1 and 0.2 mgl(-1)) on the nutritional value of fish Channa punctatus after exposure for 135 days. The parameters studied were, levels of total proteins, glycogen, total lipids, cholesterol and vitamins (A and D) in the muscle. Total proteins, glycogen, total lipids and vitamin D show highly significant decline from day 90 to 135, while cholesterol and vitamin A, show no significant changes upto 105 days. This study signifies a drastic reduction in the nutritive value of fish, which is compounded by the fact that under natural conditions fish are exposed to these levels of zinc for prolonged periods.     

内质网应激在不同钙水平下对母鼠氟暴露后仔鼠脑海马细胞的作用

为探讨内质网应激在不同饲料钙水平下对母鼠氟暴露后仔鼠脑海马细胞的作用,选用SD雌性大鼠75只,雄性大鼠25只,雌鼠随机分为对照组(DZ)、染氟组(RF)、低钙组(LG)、染氟低钙组(LF)和染氟高钙组(HF)。雌鼠染毒3个月,交配产仔,检测胎鼠与14日龄、28日龄仔鼠脑海马内质网应激伴侣分子BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达水平。结果显示,与DZ组比,胎鼠、14日龄仔鼠RF组、LF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达均显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.01),HF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达均升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05),28日龄仔鼠RF组BIP、CHOP蛋白表达显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.01),CRT蛋白表达升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05),LF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达均显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.01),HF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达均显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05)。与RF组比,胎鼠与14日龄、28日龄仔鼠LF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达水平升高,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.01),胎鼠、14日龄仔鼠HF组BIP、CHOP和CRT蛋白表达水平下降,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05),28日龄仔鼠BIP、CHOP蛋白表达水平下降,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05)。研究表明,内质网应激可能参与了母鼠氟暴露致仔鼠脑损伤,高钙饲料可缓解母鼠氟暴露致仔鼠脑海马神经细胞的损伤,低钙饲料则进一步加剧了母鼠氟暴露致仔鼠脑海马神经细胞损伤。     

Sensorimotor performance deficits induced by chronic chlorpyrifos exposure in Wistar rats: mitigative effect of vitamin C

This study was aimed at evaluating the ameliorative effect of vitamin C on chlorpyrifos-induced sensorimotor changes involving postural reflex, limb placing, and vibrissae touch in Wistar rats. Forty adult Wistar rats of either sex were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals in each group. Group I was administered soya oil (2?mL?kg^?1) while group II was given vitamin C (100?mg?kg^?1); group III was dosed with chlorpyrifos (10.6?mg?kg^?1, i.e. ～1/8th of the LD₅₀); group IV was administered vitamin C (100?mg?kg^?1) and then exposed to chlorpyrifos (10.6?mg?kg^?1), 30?min later. The regimens were administered by gavage once daily for a period of 17 weeks. Neurobehavioral parameters involving postural reflex, limb placing, and vibrissae touch responses measured at various intervals revealed a deficit in postural reflex, limb placing, and vibrissae touch responses in the CPF group, which was mitigated by vitamin C pretreatment. The neuronal and glial cell degeneration, increased brain malonaldehyde concentration, and decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and acetylcholinesterase activities recorded in the group given chlorpyrifos were ameliorated by vitamin C. Therefore, vitamin C was shown to mitigate chlorpyrifos-induced sensorimotor deficits partly due to its antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase restoration properties.     

壬基酚在蛋白核小球藻和大型溞体内的富集与传递

为探究壬基酚(nonylphenol,NP)在水生生物中的富集传递效应,选择以蛋白核小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)和大型溞(Daphnia magna)为研究对象,开展蛋白核小球藻对NP的富集效应实验,及NP在蛋白核小球藻和大型溞体内的传递效应实验。研究结果表明,NP对蛋白核小球藻的96 h半数效应浓度(96 h-EC50)为3.13 mg·L~(-1),对蛋白核小球藻的生长和叶绿素含量的影响呈现明显的剂量-时间效应。NP对大型溞的48 h半数效应浓度(48 h-LC50)为37.41μg·L~(-1),属于高毒类化合物。蛋白核小球藻暴露于0.05 mg·L-1NP 4 h后,其生物富集系数(BCF)为5 144.93,富集量为252.2μg·g~(-1),在12 h内对NP的生物富集系数(BCF)最高达12 053.64,富集量为1 181.73μg·g~(-1)。以0.05 mg·L-1NP中暴露4 h后的蛋白核小球藻为饵料投喂大型溞7 d后,大型溞体内NP富集量最高达3.6μg·g~(-1)。0.05 mg·L~(-1)NP直接暴露组大型溞暴露10 d后,大型溞体内NP富集量最高达4.02μg·g~(-1)。蛋白核小球藻对NP具有较强的富集能力,能够通过摄食过程将NP传递到大型溞,经传递的NP能够显著抑制大型溞的生长、繁殖、摄食等生命活动。论文为评估NP在水生生态系统中的污染风险和富集传递效应提供了一定的参考依据。     

孕哺期全氟辛烷磺酸染毒对大鼠海马细胞钙稳态的影响

为了阐明孕哺期全氟辛烷磺酸(perfluorooctane sulfonate,PFOS)染毒对大鼠及其仔鼠海马细胞钙稳态的影响,将妊娠Wistar大鼠30只,从妊娠第1天开始对实验组分别以72 mg·kg-1(low,L)、14.4 mg·kg-1(high,H)(以饲料中的PFOS计)的PFOS进行染毒至仔鼠生后3...     

甲醛暴露时间延长加剧小鼠哮喘模型肺氧化损伤并促进IL-17表达

为了探究不同暴露时间甲醛对小鼠哮喘模型肺氧化应激及IL-17表达的影响,用浓度为3.0 mg·m~(-3)的甲醛气体吸入染毒,同时将48只雄性Balb/c小鼠随机分为6组:(1)对照组(生理盐水组);(2)ovalbumin(OVA)致敏组;(3)0.5 h甲醛+OVA组;(4)1h甲醛+OVA组;(5)1.5 h甲醛+OVA组;(6)2 h甲醛+OVA组,以不同时间长度进行甲醛暴露,连续35 d。OVA致敏组、0.5 h甲醛+OVA组、1 h甲醛+OVA组、1.5 h甲醛+OVA组、2 h甲醛+OVA组均在第11、18及25天腹腔注射OVA致敏液(5 mg OVA+175 mg Al(OH)_3+30 mL生理盐水),第29~35天(共计1周)进行1%OVA雾化(30 min·d~(-1)),每日1次,诱发哮喘。第36天进行以下操作:取肺组织测定肺系数并制作肺匀浆,检测肺组织中活性氧自由基(ROS)、丙二醛(MDA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量,并采用ELISA法检测肺组织中IL-17的水平。同时,采用HE染色法观察小鼠肺部气道的病理学变化。结果显示,在浓度为3.0 mg·m~(-3)的甲醛气体吸入染毒条件下,与对照组相比,1.5 h甲醛+OVA染毒组、2 h甲醛+OVA染毒组ROS、MDA、IL-17含量上升,具有统计学意义(P0.01)。同时,随着暴露时间长度的增加,小鼠肺部气道出现明显病理学变化。综上所述,每天2 h甲醛+OVA染毒能对小鼠肺造成损伤并恶化OVA对小鼠肺的损伤,产生炎症反应,并通过氧化应激反应介导。     

新生鼠PFOS低剂量慢暴露对成年后神经行为的影响

为观察新生鼠全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)低剂量慢暴露对其成年后神经行为和海马组织影响,选取出生后5-7 d雄性SD幼鼠80只,按体重随机分为4组,分别为对照组(Con)、低剂量组(P5)、中剂量组(P10)、高剂量组(P20),每组各20只。从PND7开始染毒,共染毒12周,动态记录体重,并进行水迷宫、旷场实验、滚轮实验观察神经行为变化,同时取材进行HE染色,观察海马形态学改变。结果显示与Con组比较,P20组染毒8 d后出现体重增长减缓(P0.05),4周时P10和P20组死亡率明显升高;并且P10、P20组在4周,P5组在8周时,水迷宫实验逃逸潜伏期延长,目标象限停留时间缩短;P10、P20组大鼠在4周,P5组在8周时,旷场实验中央格停留时间延长,站立次数减少,行走总距离缩短;滚轮试验中,对照组和P5组肢体运动协调能力无显著性差异。P5组在染毒12周时出现海马神经元排列紊乱,胞核固缩及胞体胀大,CA1区细胞和齿状回闩区神经前体细胞数量明显少于Con组(P0.01)。上述结果表明,大鼠幼年PFOS低剂量慢暴露可损害其成年后空间学习记忆及自主探究能力,这种损害可能与海马神经元发生不足有关     

Tertiary-butyl acetate metabolism,toxicity, and human health considerations

Tertiary-butyl acetate (TBAC) (CAS No. 540-88-5) is an organic solvent with a potential for occupational and environmental exposure as a result of its use in industrial coatings, adhesives, inks, and degreasers. The objective of these studies was to extend the toxicological database upon which health hazard and risk assessments of TBAC can be made. The metabolism of TBAC was studied in rats exposed by inhalation for 6?h to concentrations of 100 or 1000?ppm. There was an evidence of partial saturation of TBAC absorption and metabolism at some concentration below 1000?ppm. Approximately 5% of the low dose and 26% of the high dose was expired without change within 12?h, while the retained material was rapidly metabolised and excreted, mostly in the urine, within 24?h. Very little radioactivity remained in the tissues after day 7. The metabolism of TBAC appears to follow two major routes: hydroxylation of the tertiary-butyl moiety to form 2-hydroxymethylisopropyl acetate and ester hydrolysis to form tertiary-butyl alcohol (TBA). A minor route involves oxidation of the acetate moiety. Based on the proportion of metabolites that can clearly be assigned to one or the other major pathway, hydroxylation of the tertiary-butyl moiety prevails at 100?ppm, while hydrolysis of the ester bond predominates at 1000?ppm.

Based on nose-only inhalation exposure of rats to TBAC for 6?h, the LC50 for males and females combined is approximately 4200?ppm. Clinical signs included exaggerated breathing, staggering, tremors, and lethargy approximately 1?h after the exposure, but all surviving rats appeared normal from 24?h until the end of the 14?day observation period. An LC₅₀ was not identified for mice. After exposure of whole body for 6?h to 3000?ppm, the highest concentration tested, all mice were prostrate for most of the exposure time, but there were no deaths.

Groups of five male and five female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed nose-only to 0, 100, 400, or 1600?ppm TBAC 6?h?day^?1 5 days?wk^?1 for 2?weeks. There were no effects on body weight, feed or water consumption, or necropsy findings. Male rats exposed to 1600?ppm had increased liver weights and hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes. An increased proportion of cortical tubule cells with hyaline droplet accumulation was observed in all treated groups of males. Groups of five male and five female CD-1 mice were exposed whole body to 0, 190, 375, 750, or 1500?ppm TBAC 6?h?day^?1 for 14 consecutive days. There were no effects on body weight, feed consumption, or necropsy findings. Liver weights were increased in female mice at 750 and 1500?ppm. Minimal hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes was found in female mice at 375, 750, and 1500?ppm and in male mice at 1500?ppm TBAC.

TBAC did not induce gene mutations in bacterial tests with strains of S. typhimurium and E. coli. Further, there was no evidence of clastogenic activity from tests either for the induction of chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes in vitro in the presence or absence of S9 mix or for the induction of micronuclei in bone marrow cells of rats exposed by inhalation for 6?h to 1600?ppm TBAC.

These results are relevant to human health risk assessment and are discussed in the context of previous studies. The weight of the scientific evidence supports the conclusion that TBAC has lower acute toxicity than previously suggested, that it is rapidly excreted when inhaled, and that neither TBAC nor its TBA metabolite are genotoxic or potential human carcinogens.     

伊维菌素对雄性吉富罗非鱼生理生化指标的影响

为探讨抗寄生虫药物伊维菌素(IVM)对鱼类的毒性效应,以雄性吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)为实验对象,设定了A(空白对照)、B(乙醇对照)、C(0.1 mg·kg~(-1))、D(0.5 mg·kg~(-1))、E(1 mg·kg~(-1))5个实验组,研究IVM对吉富罗非鱼肝脏和血液生理生化的影响。研究发现:正常生理状态下吉富罗非鱼肝脏中的丙二醛(MDA)含量较低,IVM作用后除最高剂量E组中MDA含量在4 h、16 h和24 h时极显著高于对照组外,其余各组均未受到显著影响。较低注射剂量C组中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均得到了诱导,且均显著高于对照组,较高注射剂量组中除E组在第4 h、16 h和24 h SOD活性显著高于对照组外,其余均未发现有显著变化。肝脏中谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)在IVM作用下均发生了一定的变化,尤其是E组均显著低于对照组。与肝脏中的相反,血液中的AST则随剂量的升高而呈现增加的趋势,在某些时间点与对照组相比显著升高,而血液中ALT除C、D组个别时间点外其余的均未有显著变化。B、C、D、E 4组肝脏中的碱性磷酸酶(ALP)相对A组均发生了显著下降,但C、D、E组与B组除个别时间点外均未有显著差异,因此肝脏中的ALP变化可能是无水乙醇作用的结果,而非IVM。血液中ALP则均未有显著变化。研究表明高剂量的IVM对吉富罗非鱼的肝脏造成了一定影响,因此在实际使用过程中应选择合适的给药方式以及合理的给药剂量。     

Manganese toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster: extension of the life span by resveratrol

The effect of resveratrol was studied on the life span and motor activity of Drosophila melanogaster treated with manganese (Mn). Two days after emerging from the pupa, male wild type D. melanogaster were fed for 13 days with corn media containing 15?mM Mn. Thereafter, Drosophila were divided into six groups of 300 flies each: (1) the flies remained treated with Mn; (2) began treatment with 0.43?mM resveratrol (Mn-resveratrol group); (3) received no additional treatment (Mn-no treatment group); (4) simultaneously fed with Mn and resveratrol (Mn?+?resveratrol group). In addition, a control (5) with no treatment and another group (6) fed only with resveratrol after emerging from the pupa were included. All Mn-treated flies (group 1) were dead on the 25th day. The life span in the resveratrol group was 91?±?0.33 days (mean?±?S.E.M.) and in Mn-resveratrol flies was 83?±?2 days. These two values were significantly higher than those detected in the control (5) and Mn-no treatment (group 3) flies whose life span were 68?±?0.33 and 67?±?2.31 days, respectively. The Mn?+?resveratrol-fed flies had a markedly higher life span (31?±?1.53 days) than Mn-fed flies (23?±?0.88 days). In the flies that received Mn (Mn and Mn?+?resveratrol groups), the motor activity decreased significantly with respect to control (groups 5) and the Mn–resveratrol and resveratrol groups. In conclusion, resveratrol increased significantly the life span of Mn-treated D. melanogaster.     

Effects of dietary copper exposure on accumulation,growth, and hematological parameters in Cyprinus carpio

The influence of dietary copper (Cu) exposure on accumulation, growth, and hematological parameters was investigated in Cyprinus carpio after sub-chronic ingestion of 0, 250, 500, 750 or 1000?mg?kg^?1 for 60 days. The profile of Cu accumulation among tissues in C. carpio was dependent on the exposure period and Cu concentration. Liver of C. carpio was the predominant storage tissue and the order of Cu accumulation in tissues was liver?>?intestine?> gill?>?kidney?>?muscle. Cu concentration at >125?mg?kg^?1 reduced growth rate, and was inversely related to growth. The RNA?:?DNA ratios were not affected by exposure and there was no correlation between growth rate and RNA?:?DNA ratio in liver and muscle. There were no significant effects of exposure on blood parameters except for magnesium. Cu exposure time and dose increased the serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) activity levels.     

重金属Cd、Pb对褐菖鲉肝脏组织中HSPs基因表达的影响

为了解重金属污染对海洋鱼类热休克蛋白(HSPs)基因表达的影响,将褐菖鲉(Sebastiscus marmoratus)分别暴露于1.6、8、40、200、500μg·L~(-1)Cd、Pb溶液中,用环介导等温扩增技术(loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAM P)定量检测褐菖鲉肝脏HSP60、HSP70、HSP90、HSC70 mRNA表达量。结果表明:Pb仅在40μg·L-1时显著抑制HSP60、HSP90、HSC70 mRNA表达量,8μg·L~(-1)时即可显著抑制HSP70 m RNA表达量,并在40μg·L~(-1)时达到最小值;Cd对HSP60、HSP90、HSC70的诱导不明显,但能显著诱导HSP70,并在500μg·L~(-1)时达到最大值。相比之下,褐菖鲉肝HSP70基因对重金属Cd、Pb污染较为敏感,有潜力成为监测海洋重金属污染的预警分子。     

Acute and chronic toxic effect of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) on biomarker response in post larvae of Penaeus monodon (Fabricus, 1798)

Metal pollution produces damage to marine organisms at the cellular level possibly leading to ecological imbalance. The present investigation focused on the acute and chronic toxicity of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) by examining the effects of biomarker enzymes in post-larvae of Penaeus monodon (Tiger prawn). Antioxidant biomarker responses such as lipid peroxidation (LPO) and catalase (CAT) activity for Pb and Zn were determined following chronic exposure. Acute Lethal Concentration ₅₀ (LC₅₀) values observed in the study at 96?h for Pb and Zn at 5.77?±?0.32?mg?L^?1 and 3.02?±?0.82?mg?L^?1, respectively. The estimated No Observed Effect Concentration and Lowest Observed Effect Concentration values for Pb were 0.014 and 0.029?mg?L^?1 and that recorded for Zn was 0.011 and 0.022?mg?L^?1, respectively. Among the two metals studied, toxicity of Zn was found to be greater to P. monodon than Pb. The activities of antioxidant defense enzymes and total protein content differed significantly from control following exposure to both metals. Overall, the biomarker studies demonstrated that alterations in antioxidant enzymes and induction of LPO reflect the consequences of heavy metal exposure in P. monodon.     

Effects of different endogenous fungi on the mass loss and nutrient content of leaf litter of Cunninghamia lanceolata北大核心CSCD

To explore the role of endophytic fungi in the decomposition of litter, the endophytic fungi Penicillium sp. strain CG2 (A), Fusarium flavum strain AY13 (B), and Talaromyces strain AJ14 (C) of Cunninghamia lanceolata were added to experimental pots in different forms (mycelium, sterilized fermentation broth, single fungus, and mixed fungi), and a control treatment (CK) was set up (no fungi added). At 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after litter decomposition, a study on the decomposition dynamics of C. lanceolata litter under different treatments was performed. The results showed that the rate of leaf mass loss was the highest in the sterilized fermentation broth treatment A after 120 days, and that there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mycelium treatment AC and the control treatment after 60 days (23.97% higher than the control group). On day 60, the litter carbon content from the mycelium treatment A was significantly different from that of the control (P < 0.05), showing a 16.74% lower value, whereas the litter carbon content of the mycelium treatment B was 21.13% lower than that of the control after 90 days. The nitrogen content of the litters of most mycelium and sterilized fermentation broth treatments was increased compared to that of the control group; there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the sterilized fermentation broth treatment A and the control (P < 0.05), with a 17.05% higher value than that of the control. Similar to nitrogen, the litter phosphorus content also increased; there was a statistically significant difference between the mycelium treatment A and the control group, with treatment A showing a 46.67% higher value than the control group. The potassium content was 28% lower than that of the control group under the sterilized fermentation broth treatment C, a result that was significantly different from that of the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment for 90 days, the ratio of carbon to nitrogen was the lowest under the treatments with the mycelium A and the mycelium B, with values 25.54% and 25.11% lower than that of the control group, respectively, and a statistically significant difference from that of the control group (P < 0.05). The ratio of carbon to phosphorus was the lowest under the treatment with mycelium A after 60 days, and the result was significantly different from that of the control (P < 0.05), with a 43.05% lower value than the control. Thus, the three endophytic fungi had different effects on the mass loss rate and nutrient content of the litter. The Penicillium sp. strain CG2 (A) had statistically significant effects on the mass loss and nutrient content of leaf litter, which was within the range of fungi fertilizer reference values for the breeding of C. lanceolata. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.