四溴联苯醚对小鼠的神经毒性

为探讨持久性有机污染物2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对小鼠海马组织的神经毒性,将小鼠每日灌胃25或50 mg·kg-1剂量的BDE-47,6周后检测其记忆能力、海马组织病理学变化、蛋白激酶C(PKC)表达量和半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(caspase-3)活性。结果显示,BDE-47损伤了小鼠被动回避实验的记忆保持能力,导致海马安蒙角(CA1)区锥体细胞排列紊乱,神经元胞体体积变小,形态不规则。BDE-47对小鼠海马组织PKCα、β、γ和ζ的表达无影响,但显著上调了PKCδ和PKCλ的表达,促进了caspase-3活性。这些结果提示,BDE-47导致的海马神经毒性可能与PKCδ和PKCλ表达异常及caspase-3活性升高有关。本实验结果为进一步了解BDE-47神经毒作用机制提供了实验依据。     

双酚芴对斑马鱼神经行为的影响及毒性作用机制

基于斑马鱼模型探究双酚芴(9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorine, BHPF)诱导的神经毒性及作用机制。通过黑白箱测试、新型水槽测试和T迷宫测试开展BHPF对斑马鱼神经行为学影响的检测,通过实时荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR)研究BHPF神经毒性的作用机制。黑白箱测试结果显示,BHPF造成斑马鱼运动能力异常;新型水槽测试结果显示,BHPF导致斑马鱼探索行为异常;T迷宫测试结果显示,BHPF对斑马鱼学习记忆能力产生影响。qRT-PCR结果显示,BHPF可以造成斑马鱼神经发育、自噬和凋亡相关基因的异常表达。本研究揭示了BHPF可以造成斑马鱼运动能力和探索行为异常,影响学习记忆功能。BHPF通过影响神经发育、自噬和凋亡等途径诱导神经毒性。     

有机紫外吸收剂对海洋生物的毒理效应

有机紫外吸收剂(OUVs)广泛应用于个人护理品及油漆、塑料等工业产品中,并通过海上娱乐活动、陆源径流输入等方式进入海洋环境,对海洋生物产生内分泌干扰、遗传毒性和致畸致死性等危害。本文分别从体内和体外毒性综述了OUVs对海洋生物的毒理效应。在体内毒理实验中,OUVs在个体水平、组织水平和分子水平上均会对海洋生物(鱼类、贝类、甲壳类、棘皮类和珊瑚等)造成毒性效应,包括致死、生长发育毒性、组织病变、酶活性改变、基因变异和代谢异常等。在体外毒理实验中,OUVs影响海洋细菌、海藻及珊瑚细胞的生长,造成贻贝血细胞受损。最后,本文展望了OUVs在海洋生物毒理研究方面仍需努力的方向。     

构建有机化合物斑马鱼雌激素干扰效应的二元分类模型

计算毒理学方法已成为辅助内分泌干扰物(EDCs)管理的决策支持工具。因此,发展内分泌干扰效应指标的(定量)结构活性关系((Q) SAR)等预测模型对于实现EDCs环境管理具有重要的意义。在雌激素受体(Q) SAR模型研究方面,目前主要针对人、牛、大鼠和小鼠等物种的雌激素受体干扰效应进行了研究,而对鱼等水生生物雌激素受体干扰效应等指标的(Q)SAR模型研究还较少。本研究采用基于欧几里德距离的K最近邻(k NN)分类算法,构建了斑马鱼雌激素受体干扰效应的二元分类模型。结果表明,2个最优模型训练集和验证集的预测准确度(Q)、敏感性(Sn)和特异性(Sp)参数均大于0.93,说明模型具有较好的预测能力。因此,能够用所建模型填补模型应用域内其他化合物缺失的斑马鱼雌激素受体干扰效应定性数据。     

多环芳烃对海洋贝类多生物水平毒性效应的研究进展

多环芳烃类化合物(PAHs)是海洋中常见的一类持久性有机污染物,对海洋生态安全及海洋生物健康造成严重威胁。海洋贝类作为海洋生态毒理学研究的模式生物,其滤食性、固着性等生理特点使其对PAHs具有较高的生物蓄积能力,可以在不同生物水平产生一系列的毒性效应。本文综述目前PAHs在海洋贝类多种生物水平所造成的生物毒性效应及其检测方法的研究进展,重点从个体生理特征、组织结构、细胞毒性和基因毒性4个层次展开讨论,为更有效地利用海洋贝类这一模型生物,深入开展PAHs对海洋生物的致毒效应与机制研究提供思路与检测方法参考。     

VOCs、细菌及颗粒物混合暴露致小鼠学习记忆障碍机制研究

室内空气污染的现状是多种污染源共存,挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds, VOCs)、细菌及颗粒物等是典型室内空气污染物。神经行为学毒性是室内空气污染引起的敏感毒性作用之一。为了探讨VOCs、细菌及颗粒物混合暴露对小鼠学习记忆能力的影响及机制,选用雄性昆明小鼠70只,随机分为对照(G1)和2～7(G2～G7)号染毒组。采用水迷宫和抓力仪测定小鼠的学习记忆潜伏期和抓力,染毒结束后测定全脑中活性氧(ROS)、丙二醛(MDA),神经递质谷氨酸(Glu)、乙酰胆碱(Ach)含量以及胆碱能系统的乙酰胆碱转移酶(ChAT)和乙酰胆碱酯酶(TChE)活力,同时分析脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、胶质细胞神经营养因子(GDNF)及神经生长因子(NGF)的水平。结果显示,第6天,G5、G6及G7小鼠的抓力、逃避潜伏期及在原平台所在象限的探索时间较对照组存在显著差异,并且伴有ROS、MDA含量的显著升高,Glu含量的显著升高,Ach含量、ChAT及TChE活力的显著降低,以及神经营养因子的显著下调(P<0.05或P<0.01)。研究结果表明,VOCs、颗粒物及细菌混合暴露能够导致小鼠学习记忆障碍,混合暴露引起的氧化损伤诱导的神经兴奋或抑制性毒性作用,以及神经营养因子沿轴突逆向传递降低或中断两方面作用导致神经递质产生和释放异常,进而引起学习记忆能力降低。     

苦马豆素致糖基转移酶活性改变对小鼠生殖激素分泌的影响

苦马豆素是疯草主要有毒成分,抑制α-甘露糖苷酶的活性,引起N-聚糖加工过程失调。笔者课题组前期研究得出:苦马豆素致糖蛋白激素(促卵泡素和促黄体素)糖基化位点上糖链结构发生改变,引起促性腺激素功能发生改变。而苦马豆素中毒对家畜生殖激素分泌的调节机制尚不明确。苦马豆素腹腔注射对小鼠进行染毒,收集妊娠期和分娩期小鼠的血液、子宫和卵巢组织,检测糖基转移酶活性、生殖激素水平及其受体mRNA和类固醇限速酶蛋白质表达量。结果表明:在妊娠和分娩期,苦马豆素致子宫内膜固有层大量低聚糖蓄积,显著抑制N-聚糖加工过程关键糖基转移酶的活性(P0.05);染毒组小鼠血液的生殖激素包括促卵泡素(FSH)、促黄体素(LH)、雌激素(E2)和孕酮(P4)水平显著低于对照组(P0.05)。在整个妊娠周期,染毒组小鼠4种激素受体mRNA的表达量显著低于对照组(P0.05)。在妊娠后期,染毒组小鼠3-β羟基类固醇脱氢酶(3-βHSD)和芳香化酶(CYP19A1)蛋白表达量显著低于对照组(P0.05)。苦马豆素可使N-聚糖加工紊乱,引起促性腺激素分泌降低,进一步降低生殖激素受体和性类固醇激素限速酶的表达量,致使性类固醇激素分泌下降,导致生殖激素分泌紊乱,最终结果造成机体繁殖性能下降。     

三氯生暴露加剧高脂饮食诱导的小鼠肠道和肝脏功能损伤

三氯生(triclosan,TCS)在环境中被广泛检出,已成为重要的环境污染物,且TCS暴露能够影响机体的肠道菌群组成和脂类物质代谢过程.为了探讨TCS暴露对高脂饮食(high fat diet,HFD)诱导的肝脏功能损伤的影响及其机制,C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为正常饮食对照组、TCS组、HFD组和HFD+TCS组;首先对TCS组和HFD+TCS组小鼠进行提前一周TCS(10μg·g-1饲料)暴露,然后再同时进行6周的TCS暴露和HFD喂养.实验结束后,利用细菌特征序列对肠道菌群进行绝对定量分析,利用苏木精-伊红染色、实时荧光定量PCR、酶联免疫吸附测定、蛋白免疫印迹和流式细胞术等试验技术检测小鼠肠道和肝脏等生理变化状况.与对照组相比,TCS暴露和高脂饮食均能明显引起肠道菌群中厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门含量降低,同时引起小鼠脾脏中CD8+和CD4+T细胞比例失调,但未导致显著的肠道屏障损伤和脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)异位;高脂饮食能够显著提高小鼠血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase,AST)和甘油三酯(triglyceride,TG)的水平,而单独TCS暴露并没有引起明显的肝脏功能紊乱.与HFD组相比,HFD和TCS协同作用激活了小鼠肝脏中Toll样受体4(toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)炎症通路,造成小鼠肝脏炎症反应,并显著提高了小鼠ALT和AST水平,加剧了高脂饮食对小鼠肝脏功能的损伤.由此可知,TCS暴露通过引起小鼠肠道菌群紊乱和机体免疫响应,加剧高脂饮食诱导的小鼠肠道损伤和肝脏功能紊乱.     

应用物种敏感性分布评估中国近海和福建主要海湾水体重金属生态风险

利用物种敏感性分布(species sensitivity distribution,SSD)方法构建常见重金属元素对海洋生物的SSD曲线,在此基础上,结合实际调查数据,计算了中国近海7种重金属(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Pb、Zn)和福建主要海湾6种重金属(As、Cd、Cu、Hg、Pb、Zn)对海洋生物的潜在影响比例(PAF),并分析了各种重金属在相应海区的联合生态风险(msPAF)。结果表明,中国近海水体重金属对海洋生物的生态风险大小顺序为:渤海(20.67%)>黄海(18.39%)>东海(15.94%)>南海(11.26%)。福建主要海湾水体重金属对海洋生物的生态风险大小顺序为:泉州湾(47.44%)>厦门湾(47.16%)>罗源湾(43.03%)>沙埕港(34.65%)>深沪湾(30.34%)>三沙湾(28.64%)>闽江口(20.55%)>诏安湾(20.42%)>兴化湾(18.37%)>湄洲湾(17.24%)。     

环境中铝来源、铝毒机制及影响因子研究进展

铝是地壳中含量最多的金属元素,随着铝在人类生产生活中大量生产和使用,包括铝盐絮凝剂在水处理/湖泊治理中的广泛应用以及环境酸化,越来越多的铝进入生态系统,给许多生物带来毒害效应。文章综述了生态系统中铝的来源,铝毒对藻类、鱼类、植物和人体的毒害机制及影响铝盐迁移转化和毒性的主要因子,并提出建议和展望。在陆地生态系统中,铝主要以金属铝、氧化铝、铝盐化合物、含铝矿石等形态存在;水生生态系统中,铝主要以无机单体铝、无定型絮状物Al(OH)3和聚合铝等形态存在。铝抑制酸性磷酸酶活性或影响营养的利用对藻类群落结构组成和藻细胞产生影响。通过引起离子调节和呼吸紊乱,铝对鱼类组织器官、生长发育和生理代谢具有剂量毒性作用。铝在人体蓄积后,对神经、骨骼、肝脏、免疫系统等产生不同程度的损害。植物铝毒机制主要包括:(1)对根系细胞分裂及伸长的抑制;(2)对植物营养物质吸收的抑制;(3)对植物体内关键酶代谢的抑制;(4)对遗传物质及细胞结构的损伤等。影响铝毒的因子主要包括p H、Al~(3+)形态及浓度、环境温度、水体硬度、溶解性有机物种类及含量、结合配体浓度等。因此,人类生产生活中应合理科学使用铝制品,严格把控饮用水及食品中铝浓度标准。工业水处理中应加快研发应用高效环保的大分子聚合/微生物絮凝剂,控制水处理厂出水残余铝浓度。由于铝是两性元素,且水环境中铝越来越多,建议进一步研究铝盐在碱性环境中的毒性作用以及铝盐对水生植物、底栖动物的毒性作用。     

Tissue distribution of the amnesic shellfish toxin,domoic acid,in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Octopus vulgaris</Emphasis> from the Portuguese coast

Domoic acid (DA), the amnesic shellfish toxin, is a food-web-transferred algal toxin that has been detected in many marine organisms from copepods to whales. However, cephalopods, which are important members of the food chain, have never been implicated in DA transfer or accumulation. Here, we present data showing relevant values of DA detected in the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) from the Portuguese continental coast. Even though DA is hydrophilic and is not expected to be accumulated in the tissues, DA was always detected in our octopus tissue samples. Tissue distribution of DA revealed that the digestive gland and the branchial hearts are the main organs of DA accumulation. Highly variable DA concentrations, ranging from 1.1 to 166.2 g DA g^–1, were observed in the digestive glands. Low levels of DA were detected in the digestive tract (stomach and intestine) and could be a consequence of high digestion rates or a result of non-exposure to toxic vectors during the sampling period. In fact, octopus prey, such as bivalves, crustaceans and fishes, are known to occasionally work as DA vectors. Consequently, DA uptake into octopus tissues is likely sporadic. Similar low levels were detected in the kidney, gills, systemic heart, posterior salivary glands and mantle, and no DA was found in either the gonads or the ink sac. These data are the necessary first step towards achieving an understanding of the accumulation of phycotoxins in O. vulgaris.Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff     

Domoic acid in benthic flatfish on the continental shelf of Monterey Bay,California, USA

Within Monterey Bay, California, USA, the food web transfer of domoic acid (DA), a neurotoxin produced by diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia, has led to major mortality events of marine mammals and birds. Less visible, and less well known, is whether invertebrates and fish associated with the benthos are also affected by blooms of DA-producing Pseudo-nitzschia spp. This study examines the presence of DA in benthic flatfish offshore of Davenport, California, (37°0′36″N, 122°13′12″W) and within Monterey Bay, California (36°45′0″N, 122°1′48″W), including species that feed primarily in the sediment (benthic-feeding) and species that feed primarily in the water column (benthopelagic-feeding). Flatfish caught between 10 December 2002 and 17 November 2003 at depths of 30–180 m had concentrations of DA in the viscera ranging from 3 to 26 μg DA g⁻¹ of viscera. Although the DA values reported are relatively low, benthic-feeding flatfish were frequently contaminated with DA, especially as compared with the frequency of contamination of flatfish species that feed in the water column. Furthermore, on days in which both benthic-feeding and benthopelagic-feeding flatfish were collected, the former had significantly higher concentrations of DA in the viscera. Curlfin turbot, Pleuronicthys decurrens, the flatfish with both the highest level and frequency of DA contamination, are reported to feed exclusively on polychaetes, suggesting that these invertebrates may be an important vector of the toxin in benthic communities and may pose a risk to other benthic-feeding organisms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Lack of population genetic structuring in the marine planktonic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia pungens (Bacillariophyceae) in a heterogeneous area in the Southern Bight of the North Sea

Several marine holoplanktonic organisms show a high degree of geographically structured diversity for which it often remains unclear to what extent this differentiation is due to the presence of cryptic taxa. For the genetically distinct diatom Pseudo-nitzschia pungens var. pungens, we used six microsatellite markers to investigate the spatial and temporal genetic composition in the heterogeneous Southern Bight of the North Sea. Although our sampling area (ca. 100 km) comprised water bodies with different environmental conditions (marine, estuary, saline lake) and different degrees of connectivity (from complete isolation to supposedly free exchange between environments), no evidence of genetic differentiation was found. Expanding our sampling area (ca. 650 km), suggested a homogenous population structure over even larger areas in the North Sea. Our results suggest that the population structure of this diatom is mainly shaped by strong homogenizing effects of gene flow preventing genetic drift, even in water bodies with limited connectivity. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Fate of domoic acid ingested by the copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acartia clausi</Emphasis>

Two important issues in the studies of harmful algae include ecological role of the toxic compounds and their fate through the food web. The aims of this study were to determine whether the production of domoic acid is a strategy evolved to avoid predation and the role of copepods in the fate of this toxic compound through the food web. The copepod Acartia clausi was fed with single and mixed cultures of the toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries and the non-toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima. Ingestion rate as a function of diatom abundance was the same for the toxic and non-toxic Pseudo-nitzschia species, indicating no selective feeding behaviour against P. multiseries. The toxins ingested by the copepods did not affect mortality, feeding behaviour, egg production and egg hatching of the copepods. Copepods assimilated the 4.8% of the total domoic acid ingested. Although the amount of toxins daily detoxificated by the copepods was 63.6%, the copepods accumulated domoic acid in their tissues. We conclude that domoic acid is not toxic for copepods and, probably for this reason, this toxin does not act as feeding deterrent for copepods. However, even though the production of domoic acid has apparently not evolved to deter predation, copepods may play an important role on the fate of this toxic compound through the marine food web.     

Impact of harmful algal blooms on wild and cultured animals in the Gulf of California

Historical documents and classic works together with recent specialized literature have described Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the Gulf of California. This is a review of HABs impact (qualitative and quantitative) during the last decades in the Gulf of California on wild (mammals, birds, fishes, and invertebrates) and cultured animals (shrimps and fishes). Microalgal species responsible of noxious effects are Noctiluca scintillans, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, Gymnodinium catenatum, Prorocentrum minimum, Akashiwo sanguinea, Chattonella subsalsa Ch. marina, Chattonella sp., Heterocapsa sp., Dinophysis sp., Fibrocapsa japonica, Heterosigma akashiwo, Thalassiosira sp., Chaetoceros spp., Pseudo-nitzschia australis, P fraudulenta, Pseudo-nitzschia sp., Trichodesmium erythraeum and ScSchizotrix calcicola. Emphasis is given to the necessity to continue with interdisciplinary studies in oceanography, ecology, toxicology and toxinology interrelated with biomedical sciences such as physiology, pathology, epidemiology and animal health.     

Changes in dopamine,norepinephrine and serotonin levels in the pituitary,telencephalon and hypothalamus during gonadal development of male <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutjanus argentiventris</Emphasis> (Teleostei)

Biogenic amines are important in the regulation of certain aspects of teleost reproduction, but relatively little is known about variations in their levels in the nervous system during the reproductive cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the levels of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), the DA metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and the 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the pituitary and brain (hypothalamus and telencephalon) of the adult male of the tropical marine yellow snapper Lutjanus argentiventris during the reproductive cycle (quiescent, prespawning and spawning periods). Gonad weight, gonad/body weight ratio and plasma-testosterone levels increased steadily throughout gonadal development, but 17#-estradiol levels did not vary significantly. Pituitary DA and DOPAC levels and the DOPAC/DA ratio declined with gonadal development, whereas hypothalamic DOPAC level and DOPAC/DA ratio increased. In the telencephalon, DA and DOPAC levels and DOPAC/DA ratio all peaked in the prespawning period; however, DA level was lowest in the spawning period, whereas DOPAC level and DOPAC/DA ratio were both lowest in the quiescent period. Telencephalic NE, 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels likewise all peaked in the prespawning period, and were lowest in the spawning period. Telencephalic 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio peaked in the quiescent period and was lowest in the spawning period. No significant variation was observed either in pituitary NE level or in hypothalamic NE, 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels. The present results indicate that males of L. argentiventris show a decline in pituitary DA activity during gonadal development. We discuss the possible involvement of biogenic amines in the regulation of GTH II secretion, through direct action on the pituitary or indirect modulation of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone neuron activity.     

Aptamers are an innovative and promising tool for phytoplankton taxonomy and biodiversity research

Nucleic acid aptamers are small-size ligands that selectively bind to molecular segments even when they protrude from cell surfaces. Due to their high specificity, aptamers are widely used in biomedical research and as probes for different applications. Here, we tested whether aptamers can also discriminate among phytoplankton cells. As a proof of concept we focused on the widespread centric diatom Leptocylindrus danicus and generated two aptamers that selectively bind to its cell surface. The aptamers did not bind to other diatoms tested, which included both pennate (Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata) and centric (Skeletonema marinoi, Chaetoceros socialis) species. They also showed negative binding to closely related species (Tenuicylindrus belgicus, Leptocylindrus aporus, Leptocylindrus convexus), which are hardly recognizable with microscopy techniques. In addition, aptamers discriminated also among cells of the same clone, suggesting a potential use of aptamers as clone-specific/stage-specific probes to track phytoplankton life stages in their natural environment. While the method still needs to be tested with natural algal samples, it can complement in a unique way the existing approaches to discriminate among species and possibly life stages of marine phytoplankton. The method can find useful application in taxonomic and ecological studies as well as in environmental monitoring including early warning strategies.     

Imposex in marine gastropods may be caused by binding of organotins to retinoid X receptor

Organotin compounds have been widely used as antifouling paints for ships and fishing nets since the 1960s and have thus been released into marine environments. Aquatic invertebrates, particularly marine gastropods, are extremely sensitive to organotin compounds such as tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) and undergo changes in sexual identity in response to exposure. This worldwide phenomenon is one of the worst consequences of pollution by man-made chemicals and has led to the ban of such compounds in antifouling paints in a number of countries, although organotin compounds still exist in the environment. So far, very low-concentrations of TBT or TPT have been shown to induce imposex (superimposition of male genitalia on female) in marine gastropods. Although the imposex induction mechanism has been controversial for many years, it was recently reported that TBT and TPT are potent and efficacious activators of retinoid X receptor (RXR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. In this review, I discuss the involvement of RXR in the development of gastropod imposex. Physical and Chemical Impacts on Marine Organisms, a Bilateral Seminar Italy–Japan held in November 2004     

Patterns of sponge biodiversity and abundance across different biogeographic regions

Few studies have compared the underlying nature or structure of marine communities and assemblages across broad spatial scales, despite the importance of such comparisons in understanding global scale responses to environmental change and biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study was to examine the consistency of relationships between sponge abundance and richness on the undersides of boulders (to control for multiple confounding factors) in relation to space availability (boulder size) in three widely separated biogeographic regions. Sponges followed typical species-area (SA) relationships irrespective of site or ocean and we consistently found no decrease in sponge richness at larger boulder sizes. We also found reliable underlying density–area (DA) relationships, with larger boulders supporting more sponge patches at all sites. Although the general SA and DA relationships were similar between oceans and sites, the exact nature of these relationships in terms of the actual species present per unit area, total number of species present or density differed between sites. There were no consistent differences between SA and DA relationships at each locality, suggesting that although disturbance (particularly wave action) regimes may play an important role in controlling sponge biodiversity and abundance, its effects are manifested differently at local-scales. Even though boulders have received a considerable amount of research effort over the past three decades, this is the first study to examine the consistency of DA and SA relationships between ocean basins, finding similar relationships.     

Tissue distribution and neurotoxic effects of domoic acid in a prominent vector species, the northern anchovy Engraulis mordax

The planktivorous northern anchovy is a prominent vector of the phycotoxin domoic acid (DA) to organisms at higher trophic levels, including fish-eating seabirds and mammals. Although there are abundant data reporting DA-induced excitotoxic symptoms in higher vertebrates, to date there has been no reported evidence of neurotoxic effects in lower vertebrate vectors such as fish. To explain this apparent lack of toxicity, it has been suggested that DA may not reach the brain in anchovies and/or that fish are not as sensitive neurologically to DA. In the present study, intracoelomic (IC) injection of DA, at doses ranging from 1 to 14 μg DA g⁻¹ total fish weight, resulted in severe neurotoxic symptoms such as spinning, disorientation, inability to school, and mortality, indicating that anchovies are neurologically susceptible and that DA crosses the blood–brain barrier in fish. An ED₅₀ of 3.2 μg DA g⁻¹ total body weight was determined via IC injection of DA in 83 anchovies. Comparable intraperitoneal injection studies with mice, rats, and monkeys report similar DA-induced neurotoxic symptoms at doses near 3.2 μg DA g⁻¹, suggesting a similar neurologic sensitivity and mechanism of toxicity between anchovies and mammals. DA tissue distribution measurements from freshly collected field-exposed anchovies and orally gavaged anchovies indicate that DA uptake from the gastrointestinal tract does occur. Levels as high as 1,175 μg DA g⁻¹ were measured in anchovy viscera, while muscle and brain tissue DA levels were 3 orders of magnitude lower, indicating low but measurable DA uptake. Further evidence is needed to confirm that uptake is sufficient during field events to induce symptoms in anchovies. Our work provides the first reported evidence of neurotoxic symptoms in fish and suggests that anchovies may be affected by DA during toxic diatom blooms. If sufficient uptake occurs, DA-induced neurotoxic symptoms and mortality may make fish easier prey targets, thereby selecting for the highest toxin levels transferred, as well as providing a possible pathway for the transfer of DA to benthic communities. Received: 19 May 2000 / Accepted: 29 November 2000