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Evaluating the influence of PFAS structure on behavior in early life stage mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus).
Citation:
Burke, T., Y. Rericha, C. Heyder, K. Wells, N. McNabb, L. Mills, D. Nacci, AND B. Clark. Evaluating the influence of PFAS structure on behavior in early life stage mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). SETAC North America Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY, November 12 - 16, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation evaluates the behavioral implications of larval mummichogs exposed to three long chain PFAS compounds: perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA), N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamide, (N-EtFOSA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). Previous work has shown neurobehavioral impacts of some PFAS, but further work is needed to understand the magnitude and underlying mechanisms of these effects. As PFAS are widely used and long-lasting environmental contaminants that have been linked to adverse impacts in fish and other species, the light/dark behavior assay is a useful tool in discovering potential visual, motor, and neurobehavioral effects of these exposures. Results from behavioral assays can provide insights into the toxicity of PFAS and help inform efforts to incorporate sensitive sublethal effects into predictive toxicity models for fish populations.
Description:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used and long-lasting environmental contaminants that have been linked to adverse impacts in fish and other species. Previous work has shown neurobehavioral impacts of some PFAS, but further work is needed to understand the magnitude and underlying mechanisms of these effects, and the potential to incorporate them in predictive modeling efforts. Therefore, we exposed embryos of an ecologically important estuarine minnow, the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), to three long-chain PFAS (perfluorooctanesulfonamide, FOSA; N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamide, N-EtFOSA; or perfluorononanoic acid, PFNA). Beginning at 1 day post fertilization (dpf), embryos were exposed to FOSA, N-EtFOSA, or PFNA for 6 days, then followed until 30 days post fertilization, with a multitude of biological endpoints collected (including survival, morphological phenotypes, and growth). At 24 dpf/10 days post hatch (dph), individuals were assessed in a light/dark behavior assay in which larvae experienced alternating 10-minute light/dark photoperiods over a period of 1 hour and 20 minutes. During this time, EthoVision software was used to track larval movement. Larvae exposed to FOSA showed significant behavioral differences in movement, velocity, and acceleration in comparison to control groups, especially in periods of darkness. In contrast, larvae exposed to N-EtFOSA showed significant behavioral differences in swimming distance and turn angle. Additionally, larvae exposed to PFNA exhibited abnormal behavior in acceleration rates during periods of both light and dark. The results from the light/dark behavior assays show that despite belonging to the same class of chemicals, the concentration and structural differences of compounds may induce different effects within organisms. For these reasons, the light/dark behavior assay is a useful tool in discovering potential visual, motor, and neurobehavioral effects of PFAS exposures. Results from behavioral assays can provide insights into the toxicity of PFAS and help inform efforts to incorporate sensitive sublethal effects into predictive toxicity models for fish populations.
URLs/Downloads:
https://www.setac.org/discover-events/global-meetings/setac-north-america-44th-annual-meeting/general-info/important-dates.html