Relevance of biotic parameters in assessment of the spatial distribution of gastrointestinal metal and protein levels during spawning period of European chub (Squalius cephalus L.)

Filipović Marijić, Vlatka; Raspor, Biserka (2014) Relevance of biotic parameters in assessment of the spatial distribution of gastrointestinal metal and protein levels during spawning period of European chub (Squalius cephalus L.). Environmental science and pollution research international, 21 (12). pp. 7596-7606. ISSN 0944-1344

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Official URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11356-...

Abstract

The present field study, conducted during the spawning period (April/May) of European chub (Squalius cephalus L.) from the Sava River in Croatia, indicates that seasonal changes of fish physiological state might cause variability in gastrointestinal metal (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn), total cytosolic protein and metallothionein (MT) levels. During the period of fish spawning and increased metabolic activity, significant relationship with chub hepatosomatic index was evident for Fe and Mn in gastrointestinal tissue (r=0.35 and 0.26, respectively) and in cytosolic fraction (r=0.32 and 0.41, respectively) and for Zn and Fe in the gut content (r=0.36 and 0.31, respectively). Total cytosolic protein and MT concentrations followed the same spatial distribution as Fe and Mn in all gastrointestinal fractions and as Zn in the sub- cellular fractions, with higher levels at upstream locations. Due to their role in metabolic processes and gonad development, influence of increased feeding and spawning activity in April/May was reflected on gastrointestinal essential metals (Fe, Mn and Zn) and MT concentrations, which probably follow increase in Zn concentrations, known as the primary MT inducer. Therefore, biotic factors should be considered as important confounding factors in metal exposure assessment, while their influence on gastrointestinal metal and protein levels should be interpreted depending on the season studied.

Item Type:

Article

Additional Information:

Financial support by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sport of Republic Croatia (project no. 098-0982934-2721) is acknowledged. The authors are also grateful for the valuable help in the field work to all EU FP6 SARIB Project participants and for the useful pieces of advice concerning metal determination on HR ICP-MS to Dr. Nevenka Mikac, Dr. Vibor Roje and Dr. Zeljka Fiket and on AAS to Dr. Zrinka Dragun. We appreciate the assistance of the Meteorological and Hydrological Service Office for reporting the data on hydrological parameters of the Sava River water.

Uncontrolled Keywords:

hepatosomatic index; gut content; essential metals; Cd; metallothionein; total cytosolic proteins

Subjects:

NATURAL SCIENCES > Chemistry

Divisions:

Division for Marine and Enviromental Research

Projects: