| Title | Potential toxicity of environmentally relevant perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations to yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis embryos |
| Abstract | Perfluooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is considered an emerging pollutant because of its wide distribution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as its potential toxicity to living organisms. Although PFOS environmental levels and the adverse effects on classical model organisms in toxicological studies are well known, including developmental alterations and alteration of oxidative status, its toxicity to free-living species has been seldom investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the potential toxicity of environmental levels of PFOS to yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) embryos under field experimental conditions. In a within-clutch experimental design, we injected two PFOS concentrations (100 ng PFOS/g egg weight and 200 ng PFOS/g egg weight) in ovo soon after laying. Eggs were collected when they reached the cracking stage. We investigated the effects of PFOS treatment, laying order and sex on both morphological and biochemical endpoints of embryos. Specifically, we assessed changes in embryo body mass and tarsus length, as well as in liver and brain mass. Moreover, the imbalance of oxidative status was evaluated in both liver and brain from embryos by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS), while the levels of protein carbonyl content (PCO) and DNA fragmentation were measured as oxidative and genetic damage endpoints, respectively. The concentrations of PFOS we tested did not significantly alter the morphological endpoints, independently of laying order and sex. Similarly, embryo oxidative status and oxidative and genetic damage were not significantly affected by PFOS in ovo exposure. These findings suggest that current environmental PFOS levels do not affect early development of yellow-legged gull embryos. |
| Source | Environmental science and pollution research international 23 (1), pp. 426–437 |
| Keywords | Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)EmbryotoxicityOxidative and genetic damageYellow-legged gull |
| Journal | Environmental science and pollution research international |
| Editor | Springer, Berlin, Germania |
| Year | 2016 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1007/s11356-015-5248-2 |
| Authors | Parolini, Marco; Colombo, Graziano; Valsecchi, Sara; Mazzoni, Michela; Possenti, Cristina Daniela; Caprioli, Manuela; Dalle-Donne, Isabella; Milzani, Aldo; Saino, Nicola; Rubolini, Diego |
| Text | 359765 2016 10.1007/s11356 015 5248 2 ISI Web of Science WOS 000368199300040 Perfluorooctane sulfonate PFOS Embryotoxicity Oxidative and genetic damage Yellow legged gull Potential toxicity of environmentally relevant perfluorooctane sulfonate PFOS concentrations to yellow legged gull Larus michahellis embryos Parolini, Marco; Colombo, Graziano; Valsecchi, Sara; Mazzoni, Michela; Possenti, Cristina Daniela; Caprioli, Manuela; Dalle Donne, Isabella; Milzani, Aldo; Saino, Nicola; Rubolini, Diego Univ Milan; CNR IRSA Perfluooctane sulfonate PFOS is considered an emerging pollutant because of its wide distribution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as its potential toxicity to living organisms. Although PFOS environmental levels and the adverse effects on classical model organisms in toxicological studies are well known, including developmental alterations and alteration of oxidative status, its toxicity to free living species has been seldom investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the potential toxicity of environmental levels of PFOS to yellow legged gull Larus michahellis embryos under field experimental conditions. In a within clutch experimental design, we injected two PFOS concentrations 100 ng PFOS/g egg weight and 200 ng PFOS/g egg weight in ovo soon after laying. Eggs were collected when they reached the cracking stage. We investigated the effects of PFOS treatment, laying order and sex on both morphological and biochemical endpoints of embryos. Specifically, we assessed changes in embryo body mass and tarsus length, as well as in liver and brain mass. Moreover, the imbalance of oxidative status was evaluated in both liver and brain from embryos by measuring total antioxidant capacity TAC and total oxidant status TOS , while the levels of protein carbonyl content PCO and DNA fragmentation were measured as oxidative and genetic damage endpoints, respectively. The concentrations of PFOS we tested did not significantly alter the morphological endpoints, independently of laying order and sex. Similarly, embryo oxidative status and oxidative and genetic damage were not significantly affected by PFOS in ovo exposure. These findings suggest that current environmental PFOS levels do not affect early development of yellow legged gull embryos. 23 Published version paper_PFOS_gull 2016_Parolini_PFOS_gull_eggs.pdf Articolo in rivista Springer 0944 1344 Environmental science and pollution research international Environmental science and pollution research international Environ. sci. pollut. res. int. Environmental science and pollution research international. Environmental science and pollution research international Print Environmental science and pollution research Print ESPR Print MAZZONI MICHELA stefano.polesello POLESELLO STEFANO saramaria.valsecchi VALSECCHI SARA MARIA |
