Maternal transfer of xenobiotics and effects on larval striped bass in the San Francisco Estuary.

ABSTRACT: Aquatic ecosystems around the world face serious threats from anthropogenic contaminants. Results from 8 years of field and laboratory investigations indicate that sublethal contaminant exposure is occurring in the early life stages of striped bass in the San Francisco Estuary, a population in continual decline since its initial collapse during the 1970s. Biologically significant levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and current-use/legacy pesticides were found in all egg samples from river-collected fish. Developmental changes previously unseen with standard methods were detected with a technique using the principles of unbiased stereology. Abnormal yolk utilization, brain and liver development, and overall growth were observed in larvae from river-collected

SUBMITTER: Ostrach DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2614765 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature