Trace metal (Cu and Zn) adaptation of organ systems of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, to external concentrations of cadmium.

1. The impact of external cadmium on the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in seven tissues of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata was investigated. Even after a week in freshwater with undetectable levels of Cd, the tissues of eels caught in fresh and/or brackish waters of the United States east coast contained Cd in kidney, liver, gut, and brain. 2. When the eels were exposed up to 16 weeks to low and high sublethal concentrations of Cd (75 and 150 micrograms/l, respectively), the highest tissue concentrations of Cd were found after two weeks of exposure. The accumulation was dose-related in all tissues studied except for the kidney. After 8 weeks of Cd exposure, the tissue levels of Cd were markedly reduced, and they were in a similarly low range after 16 weeks. At this time, the highest Cd concentrations were found in the gills and kidney. 3. After two weeks of Cd exposure, there was a drop of the tissue concentrations of Cu in liver and heart, and of Zn in gut and liver. The low concentrations of the two metals in other organs did not allow an evaluation of the Cd impact. After 16 weeks, the Cu concentrations in all tissues, with the exception of the liver, were similar to, or even higher than control levels. At the same time, Zn concentrations exceeded the control levels in heart and kidney of eels exposed to 75 and 150 micrograms Cd/l, respectively. 4. It is clear that some tissues of the eel are able to maintain or restore normal levels of Cu and Zn, up to 16 weeks, despite concomitant Cd accumulation.