Department of Fisheries and Ocean Science, Chonnam National University, San 96-1, Dundeok-dong, Yeosu, Jeonnam 550-749, Republic of Korea.
Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2012 Mar;32(3):426-33. doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2011.11.031. Epub 2011 Dec 13.
Tributyltin (TBT) is the most common pesticide in marine and freshwater environments. To evaluate the potential ecological risk posed by TBT, we measured biological responses such as growth rate, gonad index, sex ratio, the percentage of intersex gonads, filtration rate, and gill abnormalities in the equilateral venus clam (Gomphina veneriformis). Additionally, the biochemical and molecular responses were evaluated in G. veneriformis exposed to various concentrations of TBT. The growth of G. veneriformis was significantly delayed in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to all tested TBT concentrations. After TBT was administered to G. veneriformis, the gonad index decreased and the sex balance was altered. The percentage of intersex gonads also increased significantly in treated females, whereas no intersex gonads were detected in the solvent control group. Additionally, intersex gonads were detected in male G. veneriformis specimens exposed to relatively high TBT concentrations (20 μg L⁻¹). The filtration rate was also reduced in a dose-dependent manner in TBT-exposed G. veneriformis. We also noted abnormal gill morphology in TBT-exposed G. veneriformis. Furthermore, increases in antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in TBT-exposed G. veneriformis clams, regardless of dosage. Vitellogenin gene expression also increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner in G. veneriformis exposed to TBT. These results provide valuable information regarding our understanding of the toxicology of TBT in G. veneriformis. Moreover, the responses of biological and molecular factors could be utilized as information for risk assessments and marine monitoring of TBT toxicity.
三丁基锡（TBT）是海洋和淡水环境中最常见的农药。为了评估 TBT 带来的潜在生态风险，我们测量了等边维纳斯蛤（Gomphina veneriformis）的生长率、性腺指数、性别比例、雌雄同体性腺比例、滤水率和鳃异常等生物反应。此外，还评估了暴露于不同浓度 TBT 下 G. veneriformis 的生化和分子反应。暴露于所有测试浓度的 TBT 后，G. veneriformis 的生长呈剂量依赖性显著延迟。在 G. veneriformis 中给予 TBT 后，性腺指数下降，性别平衡被打乱。处理组雌性的雌雄同体性腺比例也显著增加，而溶剂对照组中未检测到雌雄同体性腺。此外，在暴露于相对高浓度 TBT（20 μg L⁻¹）的雄性 G. veneriformis 标本中也检测到雌雄同体性腺。TBT 暴露的 G. veneriformis 的滤水率也呈剂量依赖性降低。我们还注意到 TBT 暴露的 G. veneriformis 的鳃形态异常。此外，TBT 暴露的 G. veneriformis 中的抗氧化酶活性增加，无论剂量如何。暴露于 TBT 的 G. veneriformis 中卵黄蛋白原基因的表达也呈剂量依赖性显著增加。这些结果为我们了解 TBT 在 G. veneriformis 中的毒理学提供了有价值的信息。此外，生物和分子因素的反应可以用作 TBT 毒性的风险评估和海洋监测的信息。
