Effects of a chronic exposure to different water temperatures and/or to an environmental cadmium concentration on the reproduction of the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Abstract

Knowledge about combined effects of chemicals and temperature on reproductive capacity of fish are rare in literature, especially when it comes to the effects of chronic low-dose chemical exposure combined to the thermal stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate the single and combined effects of temperature (16, 18, 21 °C) and an environmentally relevant concentration of waterborne cadmium (1 µg L−1, nominal concentration) on the reproductive outputs of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and their consequences on offspring survival parameters. The high temperature (21 °C) was the only factor that affected parental parameters (gonadosomatic index “GSI”, and vitellogenin “VTG” particularly). On females, 21 °C had a stimulating effect on gonadal development evaluated by an early increase, followed by a sharp decrease of GSI, probably indicating gonadal atresia. Promoting effect of temperature was corroborated by an early production of VTG. In vitro fertilization assays showed interesting results, particularly cadmium effects. As it was supposed, high temperature had a negative impact on offspring parameters (significant decrease in survival and an increase of unhatched embryos). Parental exposure to the very low concentration of cadmium had also negative consequences on mortality rate (significant increase) and hatching rate (significant decrease). Our results indicate that in a global warming context, high temperature and its combination with contaminant may impact reproductive capacity of G. aculeatus, by decreasing parental investment (low eggs and/or sperm quality).