Fitzpatrick J L, Nadella S, Bucking C, Balshine S, Wood C M
Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 May;147(4):441-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.01.012. Epub 2008 Feb 5.
Copper, an essential element, is toxic at elevated concentrations, and as a result of anthropogenic activities is becoming increasingly prevalent in marine environments. In this study, we examined the effects of copper on early life stages of the blue mussel, Mytilus trossulus. We assessed the impacts of increasing copper concentrations on embryo development, egg viability, sperm fertilization capacity and, in particular, on sperm swimming speed using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Sensitivity to copper followed the pattern: embryos > sperm > eggs. A dramatic increase in abnormal embryo development was observed following exposure to copper concentrations exceeding 10 microg/L. Sperm swimming speeds decreased significantly when exposed to 100 microg/L of copper, but lower doses did not influence sperm swimming speed. Copper exposure (at any tested concentration) did not affect sperm flagellum length, or alter egg viability. Based on our results, we suggest that exposure of sperm to copper may interfere with mitochondrial activity, which reduces sperm swimming speed during the extended duration of sperm motility in blue mussel.
铜作为一种必需元素，在浓度升高时具有毒性，并且由于人为活动，它在海洋环境中变得越来越普遍。在本研究中，我们研究了铜对蓝贻贝（Mytilus trossulus）早期生命阶段的影响。我们评估了铜浓度增加对胚胎发育、卵活力、精子受精能力的影响，特别是使用计算机辅助精子分析评估了对精子游泳速度的影响。对铜的敏感性遵循以下模式：胚胎>精子>卵。暴露于超过10微克/升的铜浓度后，观察到异常胚胎发育显著增加。当暴露于100微克/升的铜时，精子游泳速度显著降低，但较低剂量不会影响精子游泳速度。铜暴露（在任何测试浓度下）不会影响精子鞭毛长度，也不会改变卵活力。根据我们的结果，我们认为精子暴露于铜可能会干扰线粒体活性，这会在蓝贻贝精子运动的延长时间内降低精子游泳速度。
