Comparative toxicities of aluminum and zinc from sacrificial anodes or from sulfate salt in sea urchin embryos and sperm.

The toxicity of aluminum or zinc from either sacrificial anodes (SA) or their sulfate salts (SS) was evaluated in sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) embryos or sperm exposed to Al(III) or Zn(II) (SA or SS, 0.1-10 microM), scoring developmental defects (DDs), fertilization rate (FR), and mitotic abnormalities. A significant DD increase was observed in SS, but not SA Al(III)- and Zn(II)-exposed embryos vs. controls. Both Al(III) and Zn(II), up to 10 microM, from SA and SS, inhibited mitotic activity and induced mitotic aberrations in exposed embryos. SA-Al(III)-exposed sperm displayed a significant FR increase, unlike Al(III) sulfate overlapping with controls. Both SA-Zn(II) and Zn(II) sulfate sperm exposure resulted in a significant FR increase. The offspring of SA-Al(III)-exposed sperm displayed a significant DD decrease, unlike Al(III) sulfate exposure. Zinc sulfate sperm exposure resulted in a significant increase in offspring DDs, whereas SA-Zn(II) sperm exposure decreased DDs. Together, exposures to SA-dissolved Al(III) or Zn(II) resulted in lesser, if any toxicity, up to hormesis, compared to SS. Studies of metal speciation should elucidate the present results.

Caplat C ，Oral R ，Mahaut ML ，Mao A ，Barillier D ，Guida M ，Della Rocca C ，Pagano G ... -  《-》

Cytogenetic and developmental toxicity of cerium and lanthanum to sea urchin embryos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of two rare earth elements (REE), cerium and lanthanum on sea urchin embryos and sperm. Sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) embryos were reared for 72 h in Ce(IV)- or La(III)-contaminated seawater at concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M. Cleaving embryos (5h post-fertilization) were submitted to cytogenetic analysis, scoring mitotic activity and a set of mitotic aberrations. Embryological analysis was carried out to determine percent developmental anomalies and/or embryonic mortality. P. lividus sperm were suspended in Ce(IV) or La(III) (10(-8)-10(-5)M) for 1h, and percent fertilized eggs were scored in cleaving embryos that were cultured up to pluteus stage to score any developmental defects. Embryos reared in 10(-5)M Ce(IV) resulted in 100% embryonic mortality, whereas 10(-5)M La(III) induced 100% developmental defects, without causing any embryonic mortality. A significant concentration-related mitotoxic effect and induction of mitotic aberrations were observed in Ce(IV)-exposed, but not in La(III)-exposed embryos, at concentrations ranging from 10(-7)M to 3 x 10(-6)M. Following sperm exposure, both Ce(IV) and La(III) induced a decrease in sperm fertilization success at the highest tested concentration (10(-5)M). The offspring of Ce(IV)-exposed, but not of La(III)-exposed sperm displayed a significant concentration-related increase in developmental defects. The results may suggest adverse impacts in REE-exposed biota and warrant further studies of a more extended REE series.

Oral R ，Bustamante P ，Warnau M ，D'Ambra A ，Guida M ，Pagano G ... -  《-》

Cytogenetic, developmental, and biochemical effects of aluminum, iron, and their mixture in sea urchins and mussels.

Pagano G ，His E ，Beiras R ，De Biase A ，Korkina LG ，Iaccarino M ，Oral R ，Quiniou F ，Warnau M ，Trieff NM ... -  《ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY》

Factors affecting R6 fungicide toxicity on sea urchin fertilization and early development: roles of exposure routes and mixture components.

Pagano G ，Iaccarino M ，De Biase A ，Meriç SG ，Warnau M ，Oral R ，Trieff NM ... -  《HUMAN & EXPERIMENTAL TOXICOLOGY》

Heavy rare earth elements affect early life stages in Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula sea urchins.

Heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) have been scarcely studied for their toxicity, in spite of their applications in several technologies. Thus HREEs require timely investigations for their adverse health effects. Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula embryos and sperm were exposed to trichloride salts of five HREEs (Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu) and to Ce(III) as a light REE (LREE) reference to evaluate: 1) developmental defects (% DD) in HREE-exposed larvae or in the offspring of HREE-exposed sperm; 2) mitotic anomalies; 3) fertilization success; and 4) reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Nominal HREE concentrations were confirmed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). HREEs induced concentration-related DD increases in P. lividus and A. lixula larvae, ranging from no significant DD increase at 10-7M HREEs up to ≅100% DD at 10-5M HREE. Larvae exposed to 10-5M Ce(III) resulted in less severe DD rates compared to HREEs. Decreased mitotic activity and increased aberration rates were found in HREE-exposed P. lividus embryos. Significant increases in ROS formation and NO levels were found both in HREE-exposed and in Ce(III) embryos, whereas only Ce(III), but not HREEs resulted in significant increase in MDA levels. Sperm exposure to HREEs (10-5-10-4M) resulted in a concentration-related decrease in fertilization success along with increase in offspring damage. These effects were significantly enhanced for Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III) and Yb(III), compared to Lu(III) and to Ce(III). HREE-associated toxicity affected embryogenesis, fertilization, cytogenetic and redox endpoints showing different toxicities of tested HREEs.

Oral R ，Pagano G ，Siciliano A ，Gravina M ，Palumbo A ，Castellano I ，Migliaccio O ，Thomas PJ ，Guida M ，Tommasi F ，Trifuoggi M ... -  《-》