Heavy metal levels in gonad and liver tissues—effects on the reproductive parameters of natural populations of Aphanius facsiatus

The impact of heavy metal levels (Cd, Cu, and Zn) on the reproductive parameters in natural populations of the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus was monitored in four sites of the Tunisian coast. Our study covered a period of the reproductive cycle, from April to November 2009. The significantly higher levels of Cd, Cu, and Zn in the liver and gonads for both sexes (p?<?0.05) were observed in the most polluted site (Sfax coast). During the reproductive cycle of A. fasciatus, an unbalanced sex ratio in favor to females was observed for all the studied populations. The progression of the hepato- (HSI), gonadosomatic (GSI), and K-factor revealed a spatio-temporal variation between populations during the sampling period. Estradiol-17β amounts in the gonad tissues of females captured from the studied sites showed a significant difference, and the highest concentrations were noticed in the control site (Luza). Taking together, our data provide the first evidence of a physiologically stress and a disturbance of the reproductive status in natural populations of A. fasciatus.     

Heavy metal accumulation and histomorphological alterations in Aphanius fasciatus (Pisces,Cyprinodontidae) from the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia)

The present study illustrates an analysis of histological changes; cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) accumulation; and metallothionein (MT) levels in normal and deformed Mediterranean killifish, Aphanius fasciatus (Pisces, Cyprinodontidae), collected from unpolluted (S1) and polluted areas (S2) in the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia. Metal determination in water and sediment showed that the concentrations were significantly higher (p?Histopathological investigations revealed greater changes in gills, kidney, liver, and bone tissues of fish from the polluted area than those recorded in fish from the reference area. In comparison to normal fish of the polluted area (S2), tissue alterations were more developed in deformed specimens of this site. A possible relationship between metallic pollution, incidence of spinal deformities, and histological changes in A. fasciatus in the polluted site was discussed.     

Effects of sodium arsenate exposure on liver fatty acid profiles and oxidative stress in rats

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of arsenic on liver fatty acids (FA) composition, hepatotoxicity and oxidative status markers in rats. Male rats were randomly devised to six groups (n?=?10 per group) and exposed to sodium arsenate at a dose of 1 and 10 mg/l for 45 and 90 days. Arsenate exposure is associated with significant changes in the FA composition in liver. A significant increase of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in all treated groups (p?<?0.01) and trans unsaturated fatty acids (trans UFA) in rats exposed both for short term for 10 mg/l (p?<?0.05) and long term for 1 and 10 mg/l (p?<?0.001) was observed. However, the cis UFA were significantly decreased in these groups (p?<?0.05). A markedly increase of indicator in cell membrane viscosity expressed as SFA/UFA was reported in the treated groups (p?<?0.001). A significant increase in the level of malondialdehyde by 38.3 % after 90 days of exposure at 10 mg/l was observed. Compared to control rats, significant liver damage was observed at 10 mg/l of arsenate by increasing plasma marker enzymes after 90 days. It is through the histological investigations in hepatic tissues of exposed rats that these damage effects of arsenate were confirmed. The antioxidant perturbations were observed to be more important at groups treated by the high dose (p?<?0.05). An increase in the level of protein carbonyls was observed in all treated groups (p?<?0.05). The present study provides evidence for a direct effect of arsenite on FA composition disturbance causing an increase of SFA and TFAs isomers, liver dysfunction and oxidative stress. Therefore, arsenate can lead to hepatic damage and propensity towards liver cancer.     

Influence of weather and air pollution on the occurrence of idiopathic pulmonary embolism in the region of Sousse (Tunisia)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the most serious manifestation of thromboembolic conditions. Its incidence varies considerably between countries,...     

Thermal behaviour of chrome shavings and of sludges recovered after digestion of tanned solid wastes with calcium hydroxide

The thermal behaviour of chrome shavings and of sludges recovered after digestion of tanned wastes with Ca(OH)2 was studied. Ashes obtained after incineration of wastes at various temperatures were analysed by X-ray diffraction and EDX method. The main crystallized phases present in the ash obtained at 600 degrees C are Cr2O3 and NaCl. The diffractograms revealed an increase in the intensities of the chromium oxide peaks and a very notable decrease of the amount of sodium chloride at 1100 degrees C. EDX analysis revealed a total disappearance of the chlorine peak at this temperature. Scanning electron micrographs show that the waste lost its fibrous aspect when the temperature increases. Formation of aggregates was noted after 550 degrees C. Combustion of organic matters and decarbonation phenomenon are the main stages observed on GTA and DTA curves of sludges. These phenomena are, respectively, exothermic and endothermic. The diffractogram of sludges recorded at 550 degrees C, in the presence of a constant oxygen surplus, revealed the presence of CaCrO4 and CaCO3.     

Study on the sensitivity to cadmium of marine fish Salaria basilisca（Pisces： Blennidae）

The present study tested the sensitivity of Salaria basilisca to water-cadmium (Cd) contamination. For this purpose, liver somatic index (LSI), Cd concentrations and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured in the liver of S. basilisca exposed to Cd-contaminated water (2 mg Cd/L as CdCl2) for 14 and 28 d. The results showed that the LSI decreased significantly after 14 and 28 d of Cd-exposure. Cd bioaccumulation in the liver resulted in an increasing uptake up to 42 g/g dry weight after 28 d of exposure. Activities of CAT and SOD were significantly increased with increasing exposure time. A significant increase in GSH-Px activity, under Cd influence, was observed during 14-day exposure period (p < 0.0001). However, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in this activity with respect to control fish was registered after 28 d of Cd-exposure. These results showed that Cd accumulation in the liver of S. basilisca could induce oxidative stress as demonstrated by changes in the antioxidant enzyme activities. Results also emphasized that S. basilisca may considered as a sensitive species to Cd exposure.     

Cadmium bioaccumulation in three benthic fish species, Salaria basilisca,Zosterisessor ophiocephalus and Solea vulgaris collected from the Guff of Gabes in Tunisia

To select a marine teleost fish which can be used as a bioindicator of cadmium (Cd) pollution in the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia, Cd concentrations in liver and gill were compared in three benthic fish species including Salaria basilisca, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus and Solea vulgaris. Fish samples were collected from three selected sites in the Gulf of Gabes, with different degrees of Cd contamination: the industrialized coast of Sfax (S1), the coast of Douar Chart (S2) and the coast of Luza ($3). The results shows that Cd concentrations in both sediment and water collected from S1 were significantly higher (p<0.0001) than those from S2 and $3. For each species, Cd concentrations, in both liver and gill, showed the decreasing order: S1>S2>S3. The highest concentration of Cd was detected in the liver of S. basilisca, and only S. basilisca showed bioaccumulation factors (BAF) greater than 1 in all studied sites. In S1 and S2, BAF values respect the following order: S. basilisca>Z. ophiocephalus>S. vulgaris. These results of significant bioaccumulation of Cd, in terms of hepatic concentrations and bioaccamulation factors, indicated that S. basilisca can be used as bioindicator to evaluate the evolution of Cd pollution in the Gulf of Gahes.     

Exposure to microplastics leads to a defective ovarian function and change in cytoskeleton protein expression in rat

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants; through their physicochemical properties, they can have potentially negative effects on...