Maternal Transfer of Organochlorine Compounds in Salmonines to Their Eggs

Abstract

To investigate relationships between the concentrations of lipophilic organochlorine compounds in salmonine fish and their eggs and the role of lipids in maternal transfer of these compounds, muscle tissue and fertilized eggs from chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) were analyzed using gas chromatography. The concentrations of organochlorine compounds in the muscle tissue of the gravid fish were significantly correlated with the concentration of these compounds in the eggs (P < 0.01). Egg lipid concentrations were species specific, poorly correlated with muscle tissue lipid concentration, and did not appear to influence organochlorine compound transfer to the eggs. Total concentrations of PCBs and p,p′-DDE concentrations in chinook salmon eggs and total concentrations of PCBs, p,p′-DDE, and dieldrin in lake trout eggs were significantly correlated with the concentrations of these compounds in the muscle tissue of the gravid fish. Consequently, spatial differences or temporal changes in the concentrations of lipophilic compounds in chinook salmon or lake trout may significantly influence the concentrations of these compounds in their eggs.