Small fish models for identifying carcinogens in the aqueous environment

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Water Resources Bulletin; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.1988.tb03008.x· OSTI ID:7024569

Hawkins, W E; Overstreet, R M; Walker, W W ^[1]

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1. Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS (USA)

Contaminants in water and sediments can be carcinogenic to aquatic wildlife as well as humans. Identifying those carcinogens, however, is difficult because they often occur in low concentrations and exert their effects over a large part of the life span of affected organisms. Furthermore, the carcinogens are often components of complex mixtures. Recent studies suggest that laboratory-reared fish species might be well suited for testing water-associated and other carcinogens. Here, we review the principal carcinogen exposure methods that utilize small fish species or can be adapted to utilize small fish species to detect carcinogens in aqueous environments. Emphasis is placed on methods for which the end-point is tumor induction. The methods discussed are dietary exposures, skin painting, embryo microinjection, early life stage (pulse) exposures, static water exposures, flow-through exposures, and controlled field exposures. Early life stage exposures seem to have the greatest utility with regard to carcinogen sensitivity, ease of administration, disposal of test compounds, and economy of materials and effort. For certain types of carcinogens, however, long-term flow-through exposures are probably required. In summary, small fish carcinogenesis models offer an array of methodologies that can be utilized in a variety of combinations depending on compounds tested, exposure parameters employed, and end point sought.

• OSTI ID: 7024569
• Journal Information: Water Resources Bulletin; (USA), Vol. 24:5; ISSN 0043-1370
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARCINOGENESIS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
FISHES
NEOPLASMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
SENSITIVITY
WATER POLLUTION
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
DISEASES
PATHOGENESIS
POLLUTION
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)