Journal
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
Volume 155, Issue -, Pages 24-31Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.06.002
Keywords
Endocrine-disrupting effects; Reproductive toxicity; Microcystin-LR; Frog
Categories
Funding
- Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province [Y5110144]
- Program for Excellent Young Teachers in Hangzhou Normal University [JTAS 2011-01-012]
- Program for New Bud Talents of College Students in Zhejiang Province [2013R421011]
- Program for '131' talents in Hangzhou City
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Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are potential global threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. The World Health Organization has set a provisional guideline limit of 1 mu g/L microcystin-LR (MCLR) in freshwater. However, MCLR concentrations in several water bodies have exceeded this level. Despite this recommended human safety standard, MCLR-induced endocrine-disrupting effects and reproductive toxicity on male frog (Rana nigromaculata) were demonstrated in this study. Results showed that sperm motility and sperm count were significantly and negatively correlated with exposure time and concentration. By contrast, abnormal sperm rate was positively correlated with both parameters. Ultrastructural observation results revealed abnormal sperm morphologies, vacuoles in spermatogenic cells, cell dispersion, incomplete cell structures, and deformed nucleoli. These results indicated that MCLR could induce toxic effects on the reproductive system of frogs, significantly decrease testosterone content, and rapidly increase estradiol content. Prolonged exposure and increased concentration enhanced the relative expression levels of P450 aromatase and steroidogenic factor 1; thus, endocrine function in frogs was disrupted. This study is the first to demonstrate in vivo MCLR toxicity in the reproductive system of male R. nigromaculata. This study provided a scientific basis of the global decline in amphibian populations. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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