High sensitivity of skeletogenesis to Pb in the asteroid Asterias rubens (Echinodermata)
Temara, A.; Nguyen, Q.A.; Hogarth, A.N.; Warnau, M.; Jangoux, M.; Dubois, P. (1997). High sensitivity of skeletogenesis to Pb in the asteroid Asterias rubens (Echinodermata). Aquat. Toxicol. 40(1): 1-10. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0166-445X(97)00042-8
In: Aquatic Toxicology. Elsevier Science: Tokyo; New York; London; Amsterdam. ISSN 0166-445X; e-ISSN 1879-1514, more
The effects of lead bioaccumulation on skeleton morphogenesis was ascertained in the common North Atlantic asteroid Asterias rubens. Regeneration of adambulacral spines was used as an experimental model. Spine regeneration was initiated in asteroids exposed experimentally to 1, 5, 20, or 50 μg Pb l−1 for 15 days. Pb bioaccumulation in the analysed body compartments was dose-dependent. Measures by atomic absorption spectrometry and proton induced X-ray emission microscopy showed that lead effectively reached the skeleton. Scanning electron microscopy showed that skeleton morphogenesis was affected: the trabeculae were shorter and more stocky, secondary bridges were not formed after 15 days, trabeculae outline was irregular and mineral deposition was highly reduced. The size of the regenerates was significantly smaller in the individuals exposed to concentrations ≥5 μg Pb l−1 (up to 70% reduction). Alkaline phosphatase activity was measured as a marker of the functional state of the body wall: it significantly decreased (30% reduction) only in individuals exposed to 50 μg Pb l−1. These results indicate that, in comparison with other phyla, skeletogenesis in asteroids is particularly sensitive to Pb and that Pb toxic effects could arise directly from the incorporation of the metal in the skeleton.
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