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Resistance to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon toxicity and associated bioenergetic consequences in a population of Fundulus heteroclitus.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lindberg, CD; Jayasundara, N; Kozal, JS; Leuthner, TC; Di Giulio, RT
Published in: Ecotoxicology (London, England)
April 2017

Several locations in the Elizabeth River, VA, USA are highly contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to the release of creosote mixtures from wood treatment facilities. Interestingly, some populations of Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) inhabiting the Elizabeth River (ER) are resistant to PAH-induced teratogenesis. However, evolutionary resistance to PAHs due to chronic PAH exposure is associated with reduced fitness and increased susceptibility to other environmental stressors in at least one PAH-resistant ER killifish population. More specifically, wild-caught and first generation PAH-resistant juvenile killifish have altered metabolic demands when compared to non-resistant fish. Herein, we investigated this association further by examining a previously under-studied population captured from the creosote-contaminated site Republic Creosoting (Rep). We assessed PAH toxicity and effects on energy metabolism in Rep killifish in comparison with killifish from the reference site Kings Creek (KC). Following exposures to simple and complex PAH mixtures, Rep killifish exhibited several phenotypes associated with PAH resistance including decreased incidences of developmental cardiovascular deformities and recalcitrant cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) activity. We evaluated bioenergetics in killifish embryos throughout development and found elevated basal oxygen consumption rates in Rep embryos relative to KC embryos. Furthermore, juvenile F1 Rep fish had significantly lower maximal metabolic rates and aerobic scopes than KC juveniles. These results suggest that populations of killifish that have adapted or evolved to withstand the toxicity associated with PAHs consequently have altered energetic metabolism or demands. Such consequences could result in an enhanced vulnerability to other environmental and anthropogenic stressors in PAH-resistant killifish.

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Published In

Ecotoxicology (London, England)

DOI

EISSN

1573-3017

ISSN

0963-9292

Publication Date

April 2017

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

435 / 448

Related Subject Headings

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Toxicology
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Fundulidae
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1
  • Animals
  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • 41 Environmental sciences
 

Citation

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Lindberg, C. D., Jayasundara, N., Kozal, J. S., Leuthner, T. C., & Di Giulio, R. T. (2017). Resistance to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon toxicity and associated bioenergetic consequences in a population of Fundulus heteroclitus. Ecotoxicology (London, England), 26(3), 435–448. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-017-1775-6
Lindberg, C. D., N. Jayasundara, J. S. Kozal, T. C. Leuthner, and R. T. Di Giulio. “Resistance to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon toxicity and associated bioenergetic consequences in a population of Fundulus heteroclitus.Ecotoxicology (London, England) 26, no. 3 (April 2017): 435–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-017-1775-6.
Lindberg CD, Jayasundara N, Kozal JS, Leuthner TC, Di Giulio RT. Resistance to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon toxicity and associated bioenergetic consequences in a population of Fundulus heteroclitus. Ecotoxicology (London, England). 2017 Apr;26(3):435–48.
Lindberg, C. D., et al. “Resistance to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon toxicity and associated bioenergetic consequences in a population of Fundulus heteroclitus.Ecotoxicology (London, England), vol. 26, no. 3, Apr. 2017, pp. 435–48. Epmc, doi:10.1007/s10646-017-1775-6.
Lindberg CD, Jayasundara N, Kozal JS, Leuthner TC, Di Giulio RT. Resistance to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon toxicity and associated bioenergetic consequences in a population of Fundulus heteroclitus. Ecotoxicology (London, England). 2017 Apr;26(3):435–448.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ecotoxicology (London, England)

DOI

EISSN

1573-3017

ISSN

0963-9292

Publication Date

April 2017

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

435 / 448

Related Subject Headings

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Toxicology
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Fundulidae
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1
  • Animals
  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • 41 Environmental sciences