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Endocrine and metabolic dysfunction in yellow perch, Perca flavescens , exposed to organic contaminants and heavy metals in the ST. Lawrence river
Author(s) -
Hontela Alice,
Dumont Pierre,
Duclos Dominick,
Fortin RÉJean
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620140421
Subject(s) - perch , contamination , endocrine system , fish <actinopterygii> , percidae , glycogen , chronic stress , environmental chemistry , heavy metals , biology , toxicology , physiology , fishery , ecology , chemistry , endocrinology , hormone
The endocrine and biochemical responses to the acute stress of capture and handling were investigated in sexually mature and in immature male and female yellow perch, Perca flavescens , from a site contaminated by organic contaminants (PAHs and PCBs) and heavy metals (Hg, Cd, As, and Zn) and from a reference site in the St. Lawrence River. Following a standardized capture and handling stress, fish from the contaminated site did not exhibit the expected physiological stress response observed in fish from the reference site. Blood Cortisol and thyroxine levels were lower, and liver glycogen stores were greater in mature males and females, as well as in the immature fish from the contaminated site, compared to the reference site. Fish from the contaminated site also had smaller gonads and lower condition factor. The impaired ability to elevate blood Cortisol in response to an acute stress may be used as a biomarker of toxic stress in health assessment of feral fish from polluted environments.