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Using early life stage assays to assess impact of a suite of diverse PFAS exposures in the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
Citation:
Burke, T., Y. Rericha, C. Heyder, A. Champagne, K. Wells, H. Schrader, M. Francoeur, L. Mills, D. Nacci, AND B. Clark. Using early life stage assays to assess impact of a suite of diverse PFAS exposures in the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). 30th Annual NACSETAC Meeting, Woods Hole, MA, April 11 - 12, 2024.
Impact/Purpose:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used and long-lasting environmental contaminants that have been linked to adverse effects in fish and other species. There are thousands of unique PFAS that are likely to impact organisms in different ways and through different mechanisms. To investigate the effects of PFAS exposures, we exposed embryos of an ecologically important estuarine minnow, the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), to a variety of structurally diverse PFAS. During this time of exposure, a multitude of biological endpoints were collected including survival, morphological phenotypes, heart rate, swim bladder inflation, growth, and behavior. This systematic evaluation of early developmental endpoints at the individual level is critical to better our understanding of PFAS toxicity and is useful for identifying trends across structurally similar chemicals.
Description:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used, long-lasting environmental contaminants linked to adverse effects in fish and other species. There are thousands of unique PFAS that are likely to impact organisms in different ways and through different mechanisms. The early life stages of fish are important for assessing the effects of pollutants because they are often highly sensitive and have the potential for later life impacts that together can affect population persistence. To address these concerns, we exposed embryos of an ecologically important estuarine minnow, the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), to a variety of structurally diverse PFAS. Embryos were statically exposed to individual PFAS from days 1-7 post-fertilization (dpf), then followed until 30 dpf. A multitude of biological endpoints were assessed throughout, including survival, morphological phenotypes, heart rate, swim bladder inflation, growth, and behavior. We found that PFAS containing sulfonamide functional groups caused higher mortality and higher overall rates of embryos with abnormal phenotypes than other classes. However, presence of heart rate effects varied by individual PFAS compound and across structural categories. Effects on swim bladder were largely insignificant, except for the sulfonamide N-EtFOSA which elicited some significant but inconsistent results. Growth rate was unaltered by most PFAS exposures, however limited data suggests PFBS, a sulfonate PFAS, may have growth rate implications. Effects on behavior varied widely by compound. This systematic evaluation of developmental endpoints at the individual level is critical to better our understanding of PFAS toxicity and is useful for identifying trends across structurally similar chemicals.
