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Sex Difference in Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations of Burbot Lota lota From Lake Erie

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Abstract

Whole-fish polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were determined for 25 female and 25 male burbot Lota lota from Lake Erie. Bioenergetics modeling was used to investigate whether the sex difference in growth rate resulted in a difference in gross growth efficiency (GGE) between the sexes. For ages 6–13 years, male burbot averaged 28 % greater PCB concentrations than female burbot. The sex difference in PCB concentrations widened for ages 14–17 years, with male burbot having, on average, 71 % greater PCB concentrations than female burbot. Bioenergetics modeling results showed that the faster growth rate exhibited by female burbot did not lead to greater GGE in female individuals of the younger burbot and that the faster growth by female fish led to female GGE being only 2 % greater than male GGE in older burbot. Although our bioenergetics modeling could not explain the observed sex difference in PCB concentrations, we concluded that a sex difference in GGE was the most plausible explanation for the sex difference in PCB concentrations of burbot ages 6–13 years. Not only are male fish likely to be more active than female fish, but the resting metabolic rate of male fish may be greater than that of female fish. We also concluded that the widening of the sex difference in PCB concentrations for the older burbot may be due to many of the older male burbot spending a substantial amount of time in the vicinity of mouths of rivers contaminated with PCBs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Larry Witzel, Andy Cook, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources staff for catching the burbot in Lake Erie; Bill Edwards and Richard Krause for aging the burbot; Bill Edwards, Ellen George, Jaquie Craig, and Rich Quintal for assisting with the homogenization of burbot tissue; Larry Witzel for preparing the map; and Alan Steinman and Kurt Newman for reviewing the manuscript and making helpful suggestions for its improvement. Use of trade, product, or firm names does not imply endorsement by the United States Government. This article is Contribution 1746 of the United States Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. United States Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, 1451 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA

    C. P. Madenjian

  2. United States Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Lake Erie Biological Station, 6100 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH, 44870, USA

    M. A. Stapanian

  3. Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University, 740 West Shoreline Drive, Muskegon, MI, 49441, USA

    R. R. Rediske & J. P. O’Keefe

Authors
  1. C. P. Madenjian
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  2. M. A. Stapanian
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  3. R. R. Rediske
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  4. J. P. O’Keefe
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Correspondence to C. P. Madenjian.

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Madenjian, C.P., Stapanian, M.A., Rediske, R.R. et al. Sex Difference in Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations of Burbot Lota lota From Lake Erie. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 65, 300–308 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-013-9901-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-013-9901-9

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