I. Rudneva-Titova - 1998
Marine Environmental Research, 46 (1-5) : 499-500
The effects of heavy metals (Hg) and different oil fractions were investigated on the antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase), lipid composition and lipid peroxidation parameters (lipid peroxidation index, then conjugates, ketodiens, TBA-reactive products) in developing eggs and larvae of different Black Sea teleost fish species. The UV and fluorescense spectra of eggs and larvae lipids were also determined. Increases of lipid peroxidation occurred in fish eggs and especially in larvae following exposure to oil in various concentrations. The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were increased more than 8- to 10-fold compared to intact eggs and larvae. The activities of other enzymes as well as the concentrations of lipid fractions varied less. The high correlation (r=0.62) was estimated between mercury concentration in water and the activities of examined antioxidant enzymes in eggs and larvae. The similar correlation coefficients (0.55 < r < 65) were established between the oil content in water and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in eggs and larvae of different fish species. The intensity of pollutant response depended on the fish species and especially on the developing egg stage of larvae. The antioxidant system of pelagic fish eggs is more sensitive to pollutant effects than of bottom fish eggs. The early developing stages were also more vulnerable. The data obtained can be used as biomarkers for determination of pollutant responses on fish eggs and larvae and for analysis of anthropogenic impact of the marine environment.
(Department of Ichthyology, Institute of the Biology of the Southern Seas, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Nahimov av. 2, Sevastopol 335011, Ukraine)