Retene induces hepatic mixed function oxygenase (MFO) in rainbow trout

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:230942

Parrott, J L; Burnison, B K; Hodson, P V; Comba, M E; Fox, M E ^[1]

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1. Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario (Canada). National Water Research Inst.

In the search for the chemical(s) responsible for MFO induction in fish exposed to pulp mill effluent, a database of structures of chemicals associated with pulp mill discharges was compared to a database of chemical inducers in fish and mammals. This led to a list of pure compounds to test, including retene (1 methyl-7-isopropyl phenanthrene). Four day exposures to retene (0.1 to 1,000 {micro}g/l) induced ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase in 1--2 g rainbow trout in a dose-dependent manner. EROD activity at 100{micro}g/l was significantly greater than control fish, and was equivalent to activities induced by exposure to 10 gg/l B-naphthoflavone (BNF), the positive control. Retene, an aromatic derivative of abietic acid, is enriched in sediments downstream of pulp mills. This substituted PAH has been found in sediments surrounding pulp mill inputs at levels over 1,000 {micro}g/g (dry weight). Laboratory tests of freeze-dried extracts of pulp mill sediments containing retene also showed induction in trout exposed to the equivalent of 2 g wet weight of sediment/L. The methyl and isopropyl substitution pattern of retene affects MFO induction potency. Unsubstituted phenanthrene did not induce MFO activity at levels from 1 to 10,000 {micro}g/l, although the top concentration killed all fish. Tests of 3,6-dimethyl phenanthrene showed induction at 100 and 1,000 {micro}g/l, although levels of maximum induction were half that of BNF. These results suggest retene and other substituted phenanthrenes may play a role in the MFO induction seen in wild fish at pulp mill sites.

• OSTI ID: 230942
• Report Number(s): CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYME INDUCTION
FISHES
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
METABOLISM
MIXED-FUNCTION OXIDASES
PHENANTHRENE
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SENSITIVITY
WATER POLLUTION