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Effects of Ca2+ or Na+ on Metallothionein Expression in Tilapia Larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus) Exposed to Cadmium or Copper

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Abstract

The objectives of this study were to try to determine the reasons of the external Ca2+ and Na+ enhancement of Cd2+ and Cu2+ resistance in fish. Tilapia larvae at 3 days posthatch were exposed to (A) 0 (control), 40 μg/L Cd2+, 40 μg/L Cd2+ + 2 mM Ca2+ (Cd/hyper-Ca), and 2 mM Ca2+ or (B) 0 (control), 75 μg/L Cu2+, 75 μg/L Cu2+ + 0.52 mM Na+ (Cu/hyper-Na), and 0.52 mM Na+. After 48 hours, results indicated that (1) Cd/hyper-Ca and Cu/hyper-Na treatments showed decreased growth inhibition induced by the metals; (2) metal accumulation in Cd/hyper-Ca–treated larvae was lower compared with those exposed only to Cd; and (3) metallothionein (MT) expression was significantly higher in Cu/hyper-Na–treated larvae than in the group treated with Cu only. Taking all of this into account, either supplementary Ca2+ or Na+ in ambient water may help fish to maintain Ca2+ or Na+ homeostasis, which could decrease metal accumulation and its detrimental effects. Consequently, the fish increase MT expression and retard the growth inhibition caused by metals.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by National Chiayi University. Thanks are extended to H. C. Lin and P. P. Hwang for assistance during the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Biosciences, National Chiayi University, 300 University Road, Chiayi, 600, Taiwan

    S. M. Wu, Y.-C. Ho & M. J. Shih

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  1. S. M. Wu
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  2. Y.-C. Ho
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  3. M. J. Shih
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Correspondence to S. M. Wu.

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Wu, S.M., Ho, YC. & Shih, M.J. Effects of Ca2+ or Na+ on Metallothionein Expression in Tilapia Larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus) Exposed to Cadmium or Copper. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 52, 229–234 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-006-0112-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-006-0112-5

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