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Hepatic Metal and Metallothionein Levels in a Potential Sentinel Teleost, Dulesauriga, from a Southeastern Brazilian Estuary

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Abstract

The identification of estuarine sentinel species is of paramount importance. The potential of the species Dules auriga sampled from Guanabara Bay, Brazil regarding metal contamination was assessed. Hepatic metallothionein (MT) and Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and Ag concentrations were determined in cytosolic fractions (S50 and HT S50) by polarography and ICP-OES, respectively. HT S50 Fe, Mn and Zn were lower than in the S50 fraction, indicating MT-detoxification. MT was correlated to HT S50 Zn, indicating Zn homeostasis. Zn was negatively correlated to weight (TW) and length (TL), suggesting environmental Zn influence. A moderate negative correlation between HT S50 Cu and the condition factor (CF) was observed, indicating that increasing environmental Cu concentrations may decrease D. auriga CF. Several inter-elemental correlations were observed. No MT, TW and TL correlations were found. Thus, MT variability is probably linked to environmental metal concentrations. D. auriga fulfills most sentinel requisites, and MT may be an adequate metal contamination biomarker in this species.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to CENPES/PETROBRAS for agreeing to the publication of the results from the “Environmental Assessment of Guanabara Bay” project, as well as to Dr. José Lailson Brito Junior (MAQUA/UERJ), Amanda C. de Andrade and Luiz C. da Silva Junior. Fish sampling was authorized by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Water Resources, under Permit No. 055 of 12/05/2005.

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  1. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4.365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil

    R. A. Hauser-Davis & A. R. Linde-Arias

  2. Laboratório de Biologia e Tecnologia Pesqueira, Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Instituto de Biologia, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    D. R. Silva-Junior & M. Vianna

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  1. R. A. Hauser-Davis
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  2. D. R. Silva-Junior
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  3. A. R. Linde-Arias
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  4. M. Vianna
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Correspondence to R. A. Hauser-Davis.

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Hauser-Davis, R.A., Silva-Junior, D.R., Linde-Arias, A.R. et al. Hepatic Metal and Metallothionein Levels in a Potential Sentinel Teleost, Dulesauriga, from a Southeastern Brazilian Estuary. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 103, 538–543 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-019-02654-6

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