Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of dispersed crude oil on retinoid metabolism and signaling in developing haddock larvae (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Retinoids and its active metabolites are involved in the regulation of several developmental processes as cell differentiation, growth and limb patterning. Thus, disruption of retinoid signaling, especially during early developmental stages, may have detrimental effects on the organism. In the present study, crude oil exposure during embryonic development and early larvae development disrupted vitamin A signaling by affecting retinoid levels and genes involved in retinoid metabolism. The disruption of retinoid signaling was also evident when looking at the gene expression pattern at several time-points during and after exposure, demonstrating the complexity and temporal factor of retinoid signaling disruption. Exposure during the embryonic period (pre hatch) resulted in reduced eye size and increased incidence of abnormal eye morphology. The observed changes in expression of retinoid metabolic genes related to the visual cycle indicates that there is a link between the modulated retinoid levels (all-trans retinoic acid and retinol) and increased incidence of abnormal eye development as a result of crude oil exposure. This is the first study to demonstrate disrupted retinoid signaling in fish following crude oil exposure at environmental relevant levels, giving novel insight in to the mechanism of toxicity.
Highlights
Oil spills, as a consequence of offshore oil production, constitute a threat to the marine environment
The aim of this study was to examine the disruptive impact of dispersed crude oil on vitamin A metabolism and signaling in developing Atlantic haddock larvae
While most of the retinoids were in the form of retinal in the 1 dph larvae and very little as retinol (Figure 2), this changed in the 18 dph larvae showing higher levels of retinol
Summary
As a consequence of offshore oil production, constitute a threat to the marine environment. The toxicity of crude oil to teleosts and its effects on natural stocks have been thoroughly documented through field and laboratory studies (Hodson, 2017). The recent Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico in spring 2010 was a strong reminder of the ecological and economical implications of uncontrolled oil discharges on natural fisheries and stocks. The studies in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez and the Deepwater Horizon oil spills demonstrated the teratogenic and lethal effects oil compounds can have on fish (Norcross et al, 1996; Dubansky et al, 2013; Incardona et al, 2013, 2014) The Exxon Valdez oil. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT | Crude oil induced disruption of retinoid signaling and eye development. The disruption of retinoid signaling could be linked to the reduction in eye size and increased incidence of abnormal eye morphology
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