Ecological effects of the herbicide linuron in tropical freshwater microcosms

Effects of a single application of the photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicide linuron (0, 15, 50, 150, and 500 microg/L) on the ecology of outdoor plankton-dominated microcosms were studied in Thailand. As a result of the decreased photosynthesis, DO and pH decreased while EC, alkalinity and nutrient concentrations increased. Chlorophytes belonging to the genera Scenedesmus, Coelastrum and Pediastrum were the most sensitive taxa, whereas several other chlorophytes, diatoms, and cryptophytes increased in abundance. Tolerant taxa appeared to be less digestable for several zooplankton taxa, which subsequently decreased in abundances. Chamaesiphon sp. (Cyanobacteria) was the most susceptible periphyton species. As a consequence of functional redundancy, effects of the herbicide on the chlorophyll-a content of periphyton and especially phytoplankton did not always reflect the effects noted on community level.     

Giardia-bile salt interactions in vitro and in vivo

Giardia lamblia predominantly colonizes the proximal small intestine where bile is plentiful. We have investigated interactions between bile and this parasite by (i) examining the specificity of the stimulatory effect of bile on parasite growth in vitro, (ii) studying the possible association between giardiasis and bile salt deconjugation in vivo, and (iii) quantifying bile salt uptake by Giardia and relating this to uptake by other microorganisms. Our findings indicate that the growth promoting effects of ox bile and pure bile salt (sodium glycocholate) are, as far as is known, specific for Giardia, since the growth of a related protozoon, Trichomonas vaginalis, and a variety of enteric bacteria was either unchanged or inhibited. We were unable to detect deconjugated ('free') bile salt in duodenal fluid from UK patients with giardiasis and found no evidence to suggest that Giardia deconjugated bile salts in vitro. However, Giardia avidly took up conjugated bile salt, apparently in a concentration-dependent manner and to a much greater degree than Trichomonas and enteric bacteria. Thus, bile specifically stimulates growth of Giardia, and bile salt is avidly consumed by the parasite. The mechanism by which bile stimulates parasite growth is unknown, but uptake of conjugated bile salt by Giardia could reduce intraluminal bile salt concentrations and possibly interfere with micellar solubilization of fat. This may contribute to the steatorrhoea which is well recognized in symptomatic patients with giardiasis.     

Saliva biomonitoring of atrazine exposure among herbicide applicators

A field study was conducted in which saliva samples were collected from a cohort of herbicide applicators during the pre-emergent spray season in Ohio in 1996. Atrazine concentrations were detected in human saliva samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Trend due to atrazine exposure and subsequent elimination in the body were evidenced by the temporal pattern of decreasing atrazine concentrations in saliva over time. Median salivary concentrations of atrazine on non-spray days were significantly lower than on spray days for each sampling time (Mann-Whitney U–Wilcoxon rank sum test, P < 0.01). Within spray days, median salivary atrazine concentrations were significantly higher on days atrazine was sprayed than on days herbicides other than atrazine were sprayed for each sampling time (Mann-Whitney U–Wilcoxon rank sum test, P=0.02 for 4–6 p.m. samples, P=0.04 for bedtime samples, P=0.03 for next-morning samples). Median salivary atrazine concentrations on days atrazine was sprayed were higher than the median concentration for the corresponding sampling time on non-spray days and on days when other herbicides were sprayed. Salivary concentration of atrazine is a plausible indicator of those days in which atrazine spraying was likely to have occurred. Salivary concentrations of atrazine not only reflect exposures resulting from spraying atrazine, but also exposures from other field activities where applicators may come in contact with atrazine. The results of this study confirmed data from animal experiments that atrazine is able to cross the cell membranes of salivary glands, and can be measured in human saliva with high sensitivity. The sampling method itself is convenient and easy to use in the field, with a high compliance rate, and analytical procedures are rapid and inexpensive. It is, therefore, concluded that saliva sampling of atrazine exposure among herbicide applicators is a feasible biomonitoring method. Received: 17 December 1999 / Accepted: 6 May 2000     

Perturbation of organogenesis by the herbicide atrazine in the amphibian Xenopus laevis

BACKGROUND: Exposure to anthropogenic chemicals during development can disrupt the morphogenesis of organ systems. Use of the herbicide atrazine has been debated in recent years because of its implicated, but poorly characterized, effects on vertebrates. Previous studies primarily examined the effects of atrazine exposure during metamorphosis or early developmental stages of amphibians. OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify and characterize the susceptibility during the often-overlooked developmental stage of organ morphogenesis. METHODS: We used a static renewal experimental treatment to investigate the effects of 10, 25, and 35 mg/L atrazine from early organ morphogenesis through the onset of tadpole feeding in the aquatic amphibian model system, Xenopus laevis. We quantified malformations of the body axis, heart, and intestine, as well as apoptosis in the midbrain and pronephric kidney. RESULTS: We found a significant dose-dependent increase in the percentage of atrazine-exposed tadpoles with malformations of multiple tissues including the main body axis, circulatory system, kidney, and digestive system. Incidence of apoptotic cells also increased in the both midbrain and kidney of atrazine-exposed tadpoles. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that acute atrazine exposure (10-35 mg/L for < or = 48 hr) during early organ morphogenesis disrupts proper organ development in an amphibian model system. The concurrent atrazine-induced apoptosis in the pronephric kidney and midbrain begins to elucidate a mechanism by which atrazine may disrupt developmental processes in nontarget organisms.     

Cytogenetic analysis of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes derived from naturally cycling and stimulated mice

The objective of the study was to analyze the potential role of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in cytogenetic changes of in vivo and in vitro matured mouse oocytes and to determine whether the lower developmental potential of immature oocytes is due to a higher incidence of abnormalities in meiotic spindle organization and chromosome alignment as well as aneuploidy. In vivo matured oocytes were collected from naturally ovulated and superovulated (5.0 I U of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone [rec-FSH] + recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin [rec-HCG]) mice. Immature oocytes were retrieved from naturally cycling mice and from mice primed with rec-FSH for 48 h. The immature oocytes were cultured 18 h for in vitro maturation (IVM). In vivo and in vitro matured oocytes were assessed for the meiotic spindle organization and chromosome alignment as well as aneuploidy. There was no significant difference of meiotic spindle organization, chromosomal alignment and aneuploidy between in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes derived from naturally cycling and stimulated mice. Therefore, the lower developmental potential of immature oocytes does not appear to be directly related to the incidence of abnormal meiotic spindle organization and chromosome alignment or to aneuploidy.     

Cytogenetic studies in Wilm's tumor

Chromosome analysis was on tumor cells and peripheral lymphocytes from three cases with Wilms' tumor (WT) carried out. In one of them WT was associated with aniridia, in the other two cases WT developed without any congenital malformations. Deletion in the short arm of chromosome 11 [del(11)(p13)] was found in the tumor cells such as lymphocytes in the patient with aniridia--WT association. The constitutional karyotype of other two patients proved to be normal. In the tumor cells of one of them a normal karyotype was found, while the other child had hyperdiploid karyotype. The role of chromosome 11p deletion, in respect of molecular biological knowledge in tumor genesis, is discussed. Results reported here suggest that children with aniridia associated with a constitutional deletion at the 11p13 locus have a high risk for developing WT and therefore require careful ultrasound follow up.     

Comparison of fate and ecological effects of the herbicide linuron in freshwater model ecosystems between tropical and temperate regions

This paper compares the fate and effects of linuron in an outdoor plankton-dominated microcosm study carried out in Thailand with those reported in temperate model ecosystem studies evaluating linuron and other photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides. Lower linuron concentrations disappeared slightly faster from the water compartment compared to temperate conditions, which appears to be related with the experimental design rather than differences in climatic conditions. Sensitivity of primary producers and zooplankton were similar for the climatic regions, whereas effects on ecosystem functioning were less pronounced in tropical microcosms. Recovery potential of affected endpoints appears higher for tropical ecosystems compared to their temperate counterparts. These findings support the use of toxicity data generated in temperate countries in the tropics. Recommendations for the methodology of tropical model ecosystem experiments are discussed.     

除草剂阿特拉津对中华大蟾蜍生存和性腺发育的影响

目的探讨三嗪类除草剂阿特拉津对本地种中华大蟾蜍生存和性腺发育的毒性。方法将中华大蟾蜍从发育的第27期开始暴露于不同质量浓度(0.1、1.0、10.0、100.0μg/L)的阿特拉津,直到变态结束(3个月)后将其解剖,取性腺做组织学观察。暴露期间,每天记录蝌蚪的生长发育情况和死亡情况。结果实验组按质量浓度梯度由小到大,100.0μg/L暴露组死亡率与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);虽然各组之间差异无统计学意义,但是阿特拉津在一定程度上干扰了中华大蟾蜍的生长发育;阿特拉津导致暴露组均出现不变态的蝌蚪;阿特拉津对中华大蟾蜍卵巢组织学没有明显影响;却导致雄性性腺发育迟缓,并在一定程度上导致了睾丸组织结构的改变。结论阿特拉津可能通过雌性化/去雄性化作用影响中华大蟾蜍睾丸的发育,有待分子水平的进一步研究。     

Contraceptive efficacy of antimicrobial peptide Nisin: in vitro and in vivo studies

Sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies present a great risk to the reproductive health of women. Therefore, female-controlled vaginal products directed toward disease prevention and contraception are needed urgently. In the present study, efforts were made to evaluate the contraceptive potential of Nisin. The effect of Nisin on sperm motility was assessed under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The results showed that sperm motility was completely inhibited with Nisin. The minimum effective concentration of Nisin required to immobilize sperm (80-100 x 10(6)) in vitro within 20 s was found to be 50 microg in rat, 200 microg in rabbit and 300-400 microg in monkey and human. The effect on sperm motility was observed to be dose- and time-dependent. Intravaginal administration of Nisin (200 microg) before mating during proestrus-estrous transition phase caused complete arrest of sperm motility and blockage of conception. Subacute toxicity studies in rats indicated that, repetitive intravaginal application of Nisin at the dose of 200 microg for 14 consecutive days induced no abnormalities either in the length of estrous cycle or in the morphology of vaginal epithelial cells. No histopathological abnormalities in vaginal tissue or any change in blood and serum biochemical profiles were observed. Furthermore, no adverse effects were observed on subsequent reproductive performance, neonate survival and development of pups. It is suggested that Nisin, with its antibacterial and spermicidal activities, could be developed as a potent vaginal contraceptive for future use in humans.