Publication Abstract

Exposure of sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to cadmium sulfide nanoparticles: Biological effects and the importance of experimental design

Exposure of sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to cadmium sulfide nanoparticles: biological effects and the importance of experimental design

M.B. Sanders, M. Sebire, J. Sturve, P. Christian, I. Katsiadaki, B.P. Lyons, D. Sheahan, J.M. Weeks and S.W. Feist

Effects of nanoparticles on aquatic organisms have been little studied to date and toxicological data are urgently needed for development of regulatory frameworks for these substances. Here we report the findings of a study exposing sticklebacks to cadmium sulfide (CdS) as bulk material and quantum dots. Fish were exposed for 21 days in a flow through test system to 5, 50 or 500 µg L-1 CdS nanoparticles (nCdS) coated in thiol terminated methyl polyethylene glycol (MPEG), bulk CdS or MPEG at 500mg L-1 (nominal concentrations). With the exception of the highest nCdS exposure, predicted concentrations were approximately one order of magnitude below nominal. A single fish from each group (excluding MPEG) was examined using Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) to localise cadmium, however, cadmium could not be detected in whole body sections. Elevated levels of oxidized gluathione were measured in the gills of fish exposed to 50 and 500mgL-1 nCdS. Induction of vitellogenin synthesis was not detected in any of the treatment groups. The number of males engaged in nest-building behaviour following exposure to 500 µg L-1 nCdS was reduced and livers of 4/6 fish in the same treatment displayed hepatocellular nuclear pleomorphism. The results are discussed emphasising the fundamental importance of experimental design and the need to understand the behaviour of nanoparticles in the aqueous phase.

Reference

M.B. Sanders, M. Sebire, J. Sturve, P. Christian, I. Katsiadaki, B.P. Lyons, D. Sheahan, J.M. Weeks and S.W. Feist (2008). Exposure of sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to cadmium sulfide nanoparticles: biological effects and the importance of experimental design. Marine Environmental Research 66:161-163.

M.B. Sanders*, M. Sebire*, J. Sturve*, P. Christian, I. Katsiadaki*, B.P. Lyons*, D. Sheahan*, J.M. Weeks* and S.W. Feist*

Marine Environmental Research 66, 161-163