Effects of ingested petroleum on the naphthalene-metabolizing properties of liver tissue in seawater-adapted mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(81)90167-5· OSTI ID:6194366

Gorsline, J; Holmes, W N; Cronshaw, J

Hepatic mixed function oxidase activities were estimated in seawater-adapted mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) that had been consuming food contaminated with one of five different types of crude oil. After 50 days of exposure to contaminated food, enzyme activities of liver microsomal preparations were assessed in terms of their naphthalene-metabolizing properties in vitro. Although dose-dependent increases in the total hepatic enzyme activities (nmole naphthalene metabolized per minute per unit mass body weight) were observed in birds consuming food contaminated with each type of crude oil, three patterns of response were apparent. Crude oils from South Louisiana and Kuwait stimulated large and significant increases in the specific activity of the enzyme system (nmole naphthalene metabolized per minute per unit mass microsomal protein), whereas little or no increase in either microsomal protein content or relative liver weight were observed. In contrast, two crude oils from Santa Barbara, California, induced only small increases in specific activity but significant increases occurred in hepatic microsomal protein concentration and relative liver weight. The crude oil from Prudhoe Bay, Alabama, evoked intermediate patterns of response. The possible significance of these data is discussed in relation to the survival of seabirds consuming petroleum-contaminated food and drinking water.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Santa Barbara
• OSTI ID: 6194366
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 24:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DUCKS
SENSITIVITY
NAPHTHALENE
METABOLISM
PETROLEUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DIET
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DRINKING WATER
ENZYME ACTIVITY
IN VITRO
INGESTION
LIVER
PROTEINS
QUANTITY RATIO
SEAWATER
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BIRDS
BODY
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FOWL
FUELS
GLANDS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTAKE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES
WATER
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)
550200 - Biochemistry
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)