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Effects of organic contaminants on reproduction of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus in San Francisco Bay

II. Reproductive success of fish captured in San Francisco Bay and spawned in the laboratory

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Abstract

Gonadally mature Platichthys stellatus (Pallas) were captured at two localities in San Francisco Bay in 1983–1985 and were induced to spawn in the laboratory; they were evaluated for relationships between several measures of survival through successive early life-history stages, chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations in maternal liver and spawned eggs, and maternal hepatic mixed-function oxidase (MFO) activity. The effect of laboratory holding on hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), a particular MFO activity, and concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons were also evaluated. Significant negative correlations were found between maternal hepatic AHH activity at the time of spawning and percent viable (floating) eggs, fertilization success, and embryological success. Embryological success was also negatively correlated with concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in eggs. Laboratory holding for 45d, about twice the mean time to spawning, resulted in no significant changes in chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations, but significant decreases in liver concentrations of phthalate esters and hepatic AHH activity. Females captured at the more urbanized central bay site, Berkeley (Bk), had a lesser proportion of floating eggs, poorer fertilization success, and higher hepatic AHH activities than those captured at a site in northern San Pablo Bay (SP). These results indicate the potential for a serious effect of lipophilic neutral organic contaminants on reproduction of an important estuarine flatfish species. Several mechanisms of toxic action are suggested to account for the observed effects, including the binding of toxic metabolites of contaminants to macromolecules and the alteration of sex steroids in females with contaminant-induced P-450 isozyme(s).

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Communicated by R. S. Carney, Baton Rouge

Some preliminary findings included in this study were presented at the Third International Symposium on Responses of Marine Organisms to Pollutants (Spies et al. 1985 a)

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Spies, R.B., Rice, D.W. Effects of organic contaminants on reproduction of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus in San Francisco Bay. Mar. Biol. 98, 191–200 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391194

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