2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) toxicity in fish: Mechanism and effects
- Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
TCDD and related chemicals cause toxicity in fish by Ah receptor-mediated transcriptional induction or repression of genes involved in cell growth and regulation. Signs of acute toxicity in fish exposed as juveniles to TCDD are delayed in onset and species-specific. Mortality occurs weeks after a single dose. Fin necrosis and decreased body weight occur in many species; decreased feed consumption, hyperpigmentation, hemorrhages, edema, and altered swimming behavior occur in fewer species. Histopathological effects of TCDD are characterized by epithelial, lymphomyeloid, and cardiac lesions. The most sensitive signs of toxicity in fish exposed as juveniles occur at TCDD body burdens of 1,000 ng/kg. Early life stages of fish are the most sensitive to TCDD-induced mortality. Body burdens of TCDD which do not cause overt toxicity to adult females result in egg burdens of TCDD that decrease early life stage survival. Exposure of fertilized eggs to either waterborne, injected, or maternally transferred TCDD causes edema and death at the sac fry stage of development. Other signs of sac fry toxicity include cessation of regional blood flow, hemorrhages, exophthalmia, anemia, craniofacial malformations, and decreased growth. Lake trout sac fry are the most sensitive fish species and life stage to TCDD-induced mortality. Among Ah receptor agonists, PCDD congeners are generally the most potent in causing sac fry mortality, followed by PCDF congeners, and lastly by coplanar PCBs.
- OSTI ID:
- 42909
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273-; TRN: IM9521%%73
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 15. annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Denver, CO (United States), 30 Oct - 3 Nov 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 15th annual meeting: Abstract book. Ecological risk: Science, policy, law, and perception; PB: 286 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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