Effects of the Polychlorinated Biphenyl Aroclor® 1254 on Growth, Survival, and Bone Development in Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Abstract

Eyed eggs of brook trout (S. fontinalis) were exposed to Aroclor 1254 [environmental pollutant] (0.43-13 .mu.g/l) for 10 days before hatching and the fry for 118 d after hatching. Median hatching time, egg hatchability and sac fry survival were not affected by Aroclor 1254. At 48 d hatching, growth was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by Aroclor 1254 concentrations .gtoreq. 1.5 .mu.g/l, but no significant differences in growth of surviving fry were observed at the end of the 118-d exposure. Mortality occurred in fry exposed to 13 .mu.g/l within 48 d of exposure, and after 118 d of exposure significant mortality occurred in the 3 highest concentrations. Biochemical constituents in brook trout fry related to growth and development were affected by Aroclor 1254. Hydroxyproline and vitamin C concentrations in sac fry (38 d old) were decreased by .gtoreq. 3.1 .mu.g/l. Backbone development in fry exposed for 118 d was significantly altered. Collagen was significantly decreased in the backbone as was the P concentration, while the Ca concentration increased. Hydroxyproline concentration in collagen isolated from the backbone was also decreased. The no-effect exposure concentration on backbone composition was < 0.43 .mu.g/l. Whole body residues in fry exposed for 118 d were 40,000 to 47,000 times the concentration in water.