Maternal transfer of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the Brazilian guitarfish Pseudobatos horkelii

Abstract

Maternal transfer is a notable contaminant source for elasmobranchs during the embryonic development. The maternal offloading of several compounds has been evaluated, especially concerning legacy contaminants. However, information on pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) offload and, consequently, embryonic exposure in elasmobranchs is still unknown. Despite this, previous detection of PPCPs in pregnant females suggested the maternal offloading of these compounds in the Brazilian guitarfish Pseudobatos horkelii, yet progeny levels were not investigated. For this reason, our goal was to estimate and describe the maternal transfer of four PPCPs in P. horkelii. Diclofenac, methylparaben, octocrylene and triclosan were determined in liver and uterine content samples of five pregnant females using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Diclofenac and methylparaben were detected in maternal and uterine content samples, whereas octocrylene and triclosan were only detected in maternal livers. This suggests that diclofenac and methylparaben are transferred to the offspring, at maximum transfer capacities of 27% and 6%, respectively. The lack of detection of other analytes in uterine content suggests that these contaminants might not be transferred. The concentrations observed for diclofenac and methylparaben are similar to those reported in adult elasmobranchs and teleosts, showing that embryos are exposed to considerable levels during their development. In addition, maternal diclofenac concentrations were not influenced by maternal size, suggesting that this species is continuously exposed in the studied area. These results are important for understanding the maternal offloading process and predicting PPCPs impacts throughout this species life cycle.