The biological effects of nanoplastics are a growing concern. However, most studies have focused on exposure to high concentrations or short-term exposure. The potential effects of exposure to low environmental nanoplastic concentrations over the long-term and across multiple generations remain unclear. In the present study, Daphnia pulex was exposed over three 21-day generations to a typical environmental nanoplastic concentration (1 μg/L) and the effects were investigated at physiological (growth and reproduction), gene transcription and enzyme activity levels. Chronic exposure did not affect the survival or body length of D. pulex, whereas the growth rate and reproduction were influenced in the F2 generation. Molecular responses indicated that environmental nanoplastic concentrations can modulate the response of antioxidant defenses, vitellogenin synthesis, development, and energy production in the F0-F1 generations, and prolongation resulted in inhibitory effects on antioxidant responses in F2 individuals. Some recovery was observed in the recovery group, but reproduction and stress defenses were significantly induced. Taken together, these results suggest that D. pulex recovery from chronic exposure to nanoplastic may take several generations, and that nanoplastics have potent long-term toxic effects on D. pulex. The findings highlight the importance of multigenerational and chronic biological evaluations to assess risks of emerging pollution.

Arsenic (As) pollution in aquatic environment may adversely impact fish health by disrupting their thyroid hormone homeostasis. In this study, we explored the effect of short-term exposure of arsenite (AsIII) on thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish. We measured As concentrations, As speciation, and thyroid hormone thyroxine levels in whole zebrafish, oxidative stress (H2O2) and damage (MDA) in the liver, and gene transcription in hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis in the brain and liver tissues of zebrafish after exposing to different AsIII concentrations for 48 h. Result indicated that exposure to AsIII increased inorganic As in zebrafish to 0.46–0.72 mg kg−1, induced oxidative stress with H2O2 being increased by 1.4–2.5 times and caused oxidative damage with MDA being augmented by 1.6 times. AsIII exposure increased thyroxine levels by 1.3–1.4 times and modulated gene transcription in HPT axis. Our study showed AsIII caused oxidative damage, affected thyroid endocrine system and altered gene transcription in HPT axis in zebrafish.

Sunscreen chemicals, such as benzophenones (BPs), are common environmental contaminants that are posing a growing health concern due to their increasing presence in water, fish, and human systems. Benzoresorcinol (BP1), oxybenzone (BP3), and dioxybenzone (BP8) are the most commonly used BPs for their ability to protect from sunburn by absorbing a broad spectrum of ultraviolet radiation. In this study, zebrafish larvae were used as an in vivo model to investigate the potential risks and molecular mechanisms of the toxic effects of BPs. The effects of these BPs on the gene expression in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway, estrogen receptor pathway, and sex differentiation were detected using quantitative real-time PCR. All BPs were found to function as agonists of the estrogen receptors α and β1, indicating that these BPs likely undergo similar molecular metabolism in vivo, whereby they can activate cytochrome P450 genes and promote the expression of CYP19A and DMRT1. Furthermore, the gene expression profile of larvae after BP3 exposure was evaluated using a whole transcriptome sequencing approach. BP3 affected estradiol biosynthesis and sex differentiation. It also regulated gonadotropin-releasing hormone, thus interfering with the endocrine system. As a xenobiotic toxicant, BP3 upregulated the expression of cytochrome P450 genes (CYP1A and CYP3A65) and glutathione metabolism-related genes (GSTA, GSTM, and GSTP). It also interfered with the nervous system by regulating the calcium signaling pathway. These findings will be useful for understanding the toxicity mechanisms and metabolism of BPs in aquatic organisms and promote the regulation of these chemicals in the environment.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer used in plastic manufacturing, is weakly estrogenic and a potential endocrine disruptor in mammals. Although it degrades quickly, it is pseudo-persistent in the environment because of continual inputs, with reported concentrations in aquatic environments between 0.0005 and 12 μg/L. BPA represents a potential concern for aquatic ecosystems, as shown by its reproductive and developmental effects in aquatic vertebrates.In invertebrates, endocrine-related effects of BPA were observed in different species and experimental conditions, with often conflicting results, indicating that the sensitivity to this compound can vary considerably among related taxa. In the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis BPA was recently shown to affect early development at environmental concentrations. In this work, the possible effects of BPA on mussel embryos were investigated at the molecular level by evaluating transcription of 13 genes, selected on the basis of their biological functions in adult mussels. Gene expression was first evaluated in trocophorae and D-veligers (24 and 48 h post fertilization) grown in physiological conditions, in comparison with unfertilized eggs. Basal expressions showed a general up-regulation during development, with distinct transcript levels in trocophorae and D-veligers. Exposure of fertilized eggs to BPA (10 μg/L) induced a general upregulation at 24 h pf, followed by down regulation at 48 h pf. Mytilus Estrogen Receptors, serotonin receptor and genes involved in biomineralization (Carbonic Anydrase and Extrapallial Protein) were the most affected by BPA exposure. At 48 h pf, changes in gene expression were associated with irregularities in shell formation, as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), indicating that the formation of the first shelled embryo, a key step in mussel development, represents a sensitive target for BPA. Similar results were obtained with the natural estrogen 17β-estradiol. The results demonstrate that BPA and E2 can affect Mytilus early development through dysregulation of gene transcription.

Ethylenediurea (EDU) is the most common chemical used to prevent ozone (O3) injury on vegetation. Despite considerable research, its mode of action remains elusive and gene expression has not been studied. Transcripts of major antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase) were measured for the first time in a model plant (Phaseolus vulgaris cv S156) after short-term O3 exposure (0 or 90 ppb, 5 h/d, 4 days) and a single spray with EDU (0 or 300 ppm). Visible, physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed as indices of O3-induced stress. In O3-exposed EDU-protected plants, levels of transcript, enzyme activity, H2O2 accumulation, gas exchange and foliar visible injury were similar to those in control plants. These results suggest that EDU may halt the O3-induced ROS generation within 24 h from the exposure, and thus the downstream cascade mechanisms leading to increased H2O2 production, impaired gas exchange, and occurrence of leaf lesions.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been reported to be widely distributed in the environment and wildlife with persistence. PFOS has various biological toxicity, especially disturbing the endocrine system. However, few studies have systematically evaluated its effect on sexual behaviors alteration and reproduction-related genes. This study was performed to assess the effect of PFOS exposure on sexual behaviors and genes in hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal–liver (HPGL) axis in adult zebrafish.Male adult zebrafish were exposed to PFOS (0, 2, 20, and 200 μg/L) and 5 μg/L estradiol (E₂) continuously for 21 days. Sexual behaviors were analyzed by zebrafish behavior tracking system and the mRNA levels of HPGL-related genes was detected by RT-qPCR.Body weight of the fish was increased in 2, 200 μg/L PFOS and E₂ groups, and body length was increased with exposure to 2 μg/L PFOS and E₂. The hepatic-somatic index was decreased significantly after 2 and 20 μg/L PFOS treatments. Highest PFOS (200 μg/L) and E₂ exposure impaired standard zebrafish sexual behaviors significantly such as chasing, nose-tail and tail-touching. In brains, the genes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHr) were down-regulated with exposure to PFOS with linear trend and E₂ exposure, and follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were also down-regulated with exposure to 20 and 200 μg/L PFOS. In livers, the genes vitellogenin 1 and 3 were upregulated with some concentrations of PFOS and E₂, but estrogenic receptor α, β2 were upregulated in any concentration of PFOS and E₂. In testes, the expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and androgen receptor genes were all significantly down-regulated with any exposure concentration of PFOS and E₂.PFOS may alter the zebrafish reproductive system by disrupting endocrine activity and impairing sexual behaviors.

The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MP) in the marine environment is cause of increasing concerns about the safety of the exposed ecosystems. Although the effects associated to the MP uptake have been studied in most marine taxa, the knowledge about their sub-lethal impacts on early life stages of marine species is still limited. Here, we investigated the uptake/retention of 3-μm polystyrene MP by early stages of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, and the related effects on gut clearance, feeding efficiency, morphological and transcriptional parameters involved in embryo-larval development. Uptake measurements were performed on larvae at 48 h, 3, 6 and 9 days post fertilization (pf) after exposure to a range of 50–10,000 particles mL−1. At all tested pf periods, treatments resulted in a significant and linear increase of MP uptake with increasing concentrations, though levels measured at 48 h pf were significantly lower compared to 3–9 d pf. Ingested MP were retained up to 192 h in larvae's gut, suggesting a physical impact on digestive functions. No change was noted between the consumption of microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata by larvae when administered alone or in the presence of an identical concentration (2000 items mL−1) of MP. The exposure to 50–10,000 MP mL−1 did not alter the morphological development of mussel embryos; however, transcriptional alterations were observed at 50 and 500 MP mL−1, including the up-regulation of genes involved in shell biogenesis (extrapallial protein; carbonic anhydrase; chitin synthase) and immunomodulation (myticin C; mytilin B), and the inhibition of those coding for lysosomal enzymes (hexosaminidase; β-glucorinidase; catepsin-L). In conclusion, though not highlighting morphological or feeding abnormalities, data from this study revealed the onset of physical and transcriptional impairments induced by MP in mussel larvae, indicating sub-lethal impacts which could increase their vulnerability toward further environmental stressors.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]QUASARE [ADD1_IRSTEA]Dynamique et fonctionnement des écosystèmes | International audience | The European sturgeon, Acipenser sturio, is a highly endangered species that almost disappeared in the last decades. Thanks to yearly restocking of the population, this species is still found in the Gironde estuary (France), where juveniles grow during several years before leaving to the ocean. The aims of this study were to evaluate the pressure exerted on these fish by known organic and inorganic contaminants during their stay at the Gironde estuary, and to get information on the fish's health in this context. Monthly captures over the year 2014 provided 87 fish from the cohorts 2012 and 2013 mainly, and from cohorts 2008, 2009, and 2011, all fish born in hatchery. We report the very first analyses of contaminant levels and of biological markers measured in the blood of these fish.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]QUASARE [ADD1_IRSTEA]Dynamique et fonctionnement des écosystèmes | International audience | The European sturgeon, Acipenser sturio, is a highly endangered species that almost disappeared in the last decades. Thanks to yearly restocking of the population, this species is still found in the Gironde estuary (France), where juveniles grow during several years before leaving to the ocean. The aims of this study were to evaluate the pressure exerted on these fish by known organic and inorganic contaminants during their stay at the Gironde estuary, and to get information on the fish's health in this context. Monthly captures over the year 2014 provided 87 fish from the cohorts 2012 and 2013 mainly, and from cohorts 2008, 2009, and 2011, all fish born in hatchery. We report the very first analyses of contaminant levels and of biological markers measured in the blood of these fish.

This study evaluates the transcriptional profiles of genes related to physiological responses in digestive glands (DG) of Mytilus galloprovincialis under the influence of seasonal changes of environmental variables, gender bias, and gonadal development. Composition of the DG microbiome was also explored. Mussels were collected across 7 months encompassing 3 seasons from a farm in the Northwestern Adriatic Sea. All gene products showed complex transcriptional patterns across seasons. Salinity, surface oxygen and transparency significantly correlate with transcriptional profiles of males, whereas in females temperature and gonadal maturation mostly explained the observed transcriptional changes. Seasonal variations and gender-specific differences were observed in DG microbiome composition, with variations resembling metabolic accommodations likely facing season progression and reproductive cycle. Results provide baseline information to improve actual monitoring strategies of mussel farming conditions and forecast potential detrimental impacts of climatological/environmental changes in the study area.