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BEHAVIORAL TOXICITY SYNDROMES: A PROMISING TOOL FOR ASSESSING TOXICITY MECHANISMS IN JUVENILE FATHEAD MINNOWS
Citation:
Drummond, R. AND C. Russom. BEHAVIORAL TOXICITY SYNDROMES: A PROMISING TOOL FOR ASSESSING TOXICITY MECHANISMS IN JUVENILE FATHEAD MINNOWS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-90/004 (NTIS PB90217688).
Description:
Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to acutely toxic concentrations of organic chemicals under flow-through conditions at 25oC for 96 h. hanges in behavior and morphology were systematically recorded to develop a plan for classifying these chemicals. n this basis, three behavioral toxicity syndromes were evident. ach syndrome appears to represent a different general mode of toxic action. he hypoactivity syndrome, reflecting narcosis, is characterized by depressed locomotor activity, loss of startle response and very dark body coloration. he hyperactivity syndrome, representing metabolic dysfunction (e.g., uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation), is characterized by greatly accelerated locomotor activity, overreaction to stimuli and increased ventilatory activity. he physical deformity syndrome, indicative of neurological dysfunction (e.g., AChE inhibition), is characterized by a high incidence of convulsions, tetany, scoliosis/lordosis and hemorrhage in the vertebral area. his classification approach also should be useful to help delineate, specific, underlying mechanisms or sites of chemical action.