Micronuclei and other erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities in fishes from the Great Lakes Basin, USA

Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis
By: , and 

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Abstract

Biological markers (biomarkers) sensitive to genotoxic and mutagenic contamination in fishes are widely used to identify exposure effects in aquatic environments. The micronucleus assay was incorporated into a suite of indicators to assess exposure to genotoxic and mutagenic contamination at five Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs), as well as one non-AOC (reference) site. The assay allowed enumeration of micronuclei as well as other nuclear abnormalities for both site and species comparisons. Erythrocyte abnormality data was also compared to skin and liver tumor prevalence and hepatic transcript abundance. Erythrocyte abnormalities were observed at all sites with variable occurrence and severity among sites and species. Benthic-oriented brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) and white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) expressed lower rates of erythrocyte abnormalities, but higher rates of skin and liver neoplasms, when compared to pelagic-oriented largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) or smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) at the same site. The reduced erythrocyte abnormalities, increased transcript abundance associated with Phase I and II toxicant responsive pathways, and increased neoplastic lesions among benthic-oriented taxa may indicate the development of contaminant resistance of these species to more acute effects.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Micronuclei and other erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities in fishes from the Great Lakes Basin, USA
Series title Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis
DOI 10.1002/em.22123
Volume 58
Issue 8
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Leetown Science Center
Description 12 p.
First page 570
Last page 581
Country United States
Other Geospatial Great Lakes
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