Abstract:

This study examined the effects of single polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure on brain and neurological development. Embryos were exposed at 12 hpf for 48 h. After 48 h, survival was assessed and each replicate was split in 2 for imaging. Once fish were imaged, they were used for calcein staining to assess vertebral column development and calcium uptake and distribution. Images were analyzed for the brain, eye, iris, and pericardial area, spine length and total length.

Suggested Citation:

Khurisgara, A., Esbaugh, A.. 2020. Neurological development following single polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) exposure. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-tbtt-jp13

Purpose:

Determine the impacts of individual PAHs on an estuarine fish.

Data Parameters and Units:

Key parameters: Fish ID (treatment_# within treatment); Fish Number; Spine length (cm); Standard length (cm); Total length (cm); Spinal curvature (y/n); Brain area; Eye area; Iris area; Pericardial area; Tank ID Dilution or Stock Code; Date (DD-Mon-YY); Start time (HH:MM); End date (DD-Mon-YY); End time (HH:MM); Nominal Treatment Concentration; Treatment Units; Replicate number; Notes; Number at test start; Mortality; Number observed alive; Period; Water Temperature (degree C); pH (S.U); Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L); Salinity (ppt), Total ammonia (µM); Number at test start; Mortality; Number observed alive; Notes. Dataset also includes images of fish. Photo naming convention: XX# -#: Treatment Replicate#-fish number. Please note: PAH = polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; DMSO = Dimethyl sulfoxide; C = Control; FL = Fluorene; PH = Phenanthrene; AN = Anthracene; DI = Dibenzothiophene; PY = Pyrene; CR = Chrysene; NA = Naphthalene.

Methods:

Starting at 12 hpf, red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) embryos were placed into exposures of control, naphthalene, flourene, dibenzothiophene, phenthrene, anthracene, chrysene or pyrene. After 48 h, survival was assessed, and fish were anesthetized and imaged. Images were used to determine total and standard length, pericardial area, brain area, eye area, iris area, spine length, and presence of craniofacial deformities. Fish were imaged with a Nikon SMZ800N microscope and accompanying software with 4x magnification. Images were uploaded into ImageJ and standard length, total length, spine length, brain area, eye area, iris area, and pericardial area. Images were assessed visually for spinal curvature.

Instruments:

Image J and Nikon SMZ800N microscope with accompanying software.

Error Analysis:

All samples were assessed using One Way ANOVAs compared to the control fish in the same run.

Individual Files: