Cross-generational Effect of Bisphenol A on the Harpacticoid Copepod <i>Tigriopus west</i>:A Full Life Cycle Toxicity Test

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess cross-generational effects of bisphenol A exposure in benthic copepods, Tigriopus west. Nauplii (<24 hours old) were exposed to graded concentrations of bisphenol A, and toxicity end-points such as survival, development, sex ratio, and fecundity were measured. F1 generations were grown under innoxious conditions, and similarly assessed. Significant differences were observed in development of nauplii and copepodites, between exposed and non-exposed copepods; however, there were no differences in survival of nauplii or copepodites, sex ratio, or brooding rate in parental generation. In contrast, in the F1 generation, there were significant differences between the control group and exposed group in survival and development of nauplii. Length, width, and biomass of parental and F1 generations were reduced in the exposed group compared to the control group. In addition, some deformities, such as swelling of the prosome, abnormally shaped egg sac, and dwarfism were observed after exposure to bisphenol A. So, our study demonstrates that a cross-generation toxicity test and monitoring of morphological deformities in harpacticoid copepods, can be useful for development of potential bioindicators for environmental monitoring, and assessment of chemical impact.