scholarly journals Assessment of the Reproductive Health Status of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in a River Impacted by Mercury from Clandestine Gold Mining: A Case Study of Bagoue River, Côte d’Ivoire

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Augustin KOUAME N’ Guessan ◽  
Rodrigue Orobiyi Edéya PELEBE ◽  
Koffi Charles BOUSSOU ◽  
Valentin N’DOUBA

Pollution of aquatic ecosystems often results in adverse environmental disturbances, including individual and/or sub-individual changes in fish. The aim of the present study was to examine possible reproductive health effects in male and female, based on a histological assessment of Clarias gariepinus sampled in Bagoue River impacted by mercury from the artisanal gold mining. Fish were collected between August 2018 and April 2019 during two seasons from four stations differently impacted. A histological assessment was done on three target fish organs (liver, ovary and testis). Water and sediment samples were analysed for total mercury (T-Hg) concentration. Histological alterations were semi-quantitatively assessed, and the results were classified according to the severity of the histological response identified. Microscopic assessment revealed alterations of the gonads and liver tissues. A higher incidence of reaction pattern (Regressive changes, Inflammation and Circulatory disturbance) was found in liver tissues than in gonads tissues (Regressive changes). T-Hg levels were higher upstream than downstream in ovaries and testis tissues. Paradoxically, the lesions observed in these organs were more pronounced downstream than those found in fish from upstream during rainy season. According to total index, the organs examined downstream suffered severe damage unlike upstream sites. Also, comparison of degree of alteration between testes and ovaries indicates a greater impact of ovarian structures especially on downstream sites. The effect of anthropogenic impact appears to be visible downstream as the concentration of chemical pollutants and exposure time determine the severity of the damage. Alterations in ovarian follicles, spermatogenic cells and liver tissues may reflect damage to the process of gametogenesis, which may reduce the reproductive capacity of individuals over the long term.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adedotun O. Afolayan ◽  
Temitope I. Borokini ◽  
Gloria O. Afolayan

Raphia hookeri fruits are used for fishing in Nigeria due to their ichthyotoxic properties. This study investigated the toxic effects of R. hookeri on the reproductive capacity of Clarias gariepinus. The results from both short-term (96-hour test) and long-term (3-month sublethal test) bioassays revealed a linear relationship between R. hookeri extract dose and negative effects on the catfish. The percentage survival of both sexes of the catfish decreased with increasing extract concentration at short-term exposure, with LC50 values of 600 mg/L and 800 mg/L for male and female, respectively. At long-term exposure, the reproductive capacity of 10–12-month-old male and female brood-stocks diminished at relatively higher concentrations of R. hookeri fruit extract, with the gravid females producing fewer and mostly unviable eggs. The fruit extract also affected the eggs’ hatchability and fry survival when the exposed gravid females were treated with pituitary hormone and sperms from unexposed males, while the exposed males were unable to sexually stimulate female brooders. Sperms and pituitary hormone from exposed males were infertile, leading to low percentage of hatched eggs and mortality of the few hatched fries within 24 hours. These results confirmed the ethnobotanical use of this fruit extract for fishing in Nigeria.


Author(s):  
Annia A. Martínez-Peña ◽  
Kendrick Lee ◽  
James J. Petrik ◽  
Daniel B. Hardy ◽  
Alison C. Holloway

Abstract With the legalization of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) and increasing use during pregnancy, it is important to understand its impact on exposed offspring. Specifically, the effects of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the major psychoactive component of cannabis, on fetal ovarian development and long-term reproductive health are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of prenatal exposure to Δ9-THC on ovarian health in adult rat offspring. At 6 months of age, Δ9-THC-exposed offspring had accelerated folliculogenesis with apparent follicular development arrest, but no persistent effects on circulating steroid levels. Ovaries from Δ9-THC-exposed offspring had reduced blood vessel density in association with decreased expression of the pro-angiogenic factor VEGF and its receptor VEGFR-2, as well as an increase in the anti-angiogenic factor thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1). Collectively, these data suggest that exposure to Δ9-THC during pregnancy alters follicular dynamics during postnatal life, which may have long-lasting detrimental effects on female reproductive health.


2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel C Alcala ◽  
Garry R Russ ◽  
Aileen P Maypa ◽  
Hilconida P Calumpong

Do no-take marine reserves affect fishery yields? Manipulations of reserve status, and yield estimates, were made at two Philippine islands over two decades. Twenty-five percent and ten percent, respectively, of the coral reefs at Sumilon and Apo islands were made no-take reserves in 1974 and 1982. Biomass of target fish increased inside the no-take reserves 3- to 4.5-fold over 9–18 years. Biomass did not increase outside each reserve. Protection of the Sumilon reserve ceased in 1984. Biomass of targeted fish in the reserve and trap and gillnet catches of these fish declined by 42.7% and 40%, respectively, by 1985. The reserve was reprotected from 1987 to 1991 and from 1995 to 2001. Fish biomass increased in the reserve by 27.2%. Trap and gillnet catches outside the reserve increased 26.9% by 2001. The Apo reserve was protected from 1982 to 2001. Total catch of major fish families was significantly higher after (1985–2001) than before (1981) reserve establishment at Apo, increasing 41.3% between 1981 and 1998–2001. These experiments, plus spillover evidence, suggest that marine reserves may help maintain, or even enhance, local fishery yields in the long-term.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (27) ◽  
pp. 3408-3416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa B. Kenney ◽  
Laurie E. Cohen ◽  
Margarett Shnorhavorian ◽  
Monika L. Metzger ◽  
Barbara Lockart ◽  
...  

The majority of children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with cancer will become long-term survivors. Although cancer therapy is associated with many adverse effects, one of the primary concerns of young male cancer survivors is reproductive health. Future fertility is often the focus of concern; however, it must be recognized that all aspects of male health, including pubertal development, testosterone production, and sexual function, can be impaired by cancer therapy. Although pretreatment strategies to preserve reproductive health have been beneficial to some male patients, many survivors remain at risk for long-term reproductive complications. Understanding risk factors and monitoring the reproductive health of young male survivors are important aspects of follow-up care. The Children's Oncology Group Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer (COG-LTFU Guidelines) were created by the COG to provide recommendations for follow-up care of survivors at risk for long-term complications. The male health task force of the COG-LTFU Guidelines, composed of pediatric oncologists, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, a urologist, and a radiation oncologist, is responsible for updating the COG-LTFU Guidelines every 2 years based on literature review and expert consensus. This review summarizes current task force recommendations for the assessment and management of male reproductive complications after treatment for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers. Issues related to male health that are being investigated, but currently not included in the COG-LTFU Guidelines, are also discussed. Ongoing investigation will inform future COG-LTFU Guideline recommendations for follow-up care to improve health and quality of life for male survivors.


Author(s):  
Sae Yun Kwon

Increasing release of mercury (Hg) through gold amalgamation, and deforestation have been major concerns in South America. Volcanic sources have also contributed to the natural emission of Hg from the Andes Mountains. Hg not only exhibits biomagnification through aquatic food webs, but it is also neurotoxic and impacts the reproductive capacity of fish. Many studies have assessed Hg biomagnification from areas of gold mining and erosion, but ours is one of the first to examine Hg contamination in a relatively undisturbed area. We used stable nitrogen () and carbon (13C) isotopes to characterize the food web of Río Las Marías, Venezuela, and examine Hg biomagnification trends. Representative fish species from Río Las Marías were collected during January‐February 2004, including detritivores, herbivores, invertivores, parasites, piscivores, and carnivores. Nitrogen isotope results indicate that parasitic catfish (Ochmancanthus alternus) ( = 12.2‰), carnivorous stingrays (Potamotrygon orbignyi) ( =11.4‰) and piscivorous redeye piranhas (Serrasalmus rhombeus) ( =10.9‰) act as top consumers in the web. Detritivorous characins (Steindachnerina argentae) (=6.8‰), and invertivorous knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) ( =7.9‰) were located at the bottom of the food web. Although the highest value was observed from Ochmancanthus alternus due to its unusual diet of fish mucus, we predict that piscivorous species will exhibit higher Hg concentrations by consuming the muscle tissue where Hg is stored. Our assessment of Hg patterns in Río Las Marías will clarify the extent of Hg contamination in undisturbed areas, and will offer a valuable comparison to rivers that are influenced by gold mining activities.3


Author(s):  
Paola Manduca ◽  
Nabil Al Baraquni ◽  
Stefano Parodi

Introduction: High levels of environmental contaminants with long term effects and teratogenic and carcinogenic potential, such as heavy metals, were introduced by weaponry in war areas in the last decades. Poorer reproductive health and increases in non-communicable diseases were reported after wars and are the suspected long term effects of contamination by stable war remnants. Although potentially affecting millions of people, this is still an understudied issue of public health. Background: Gaza, Palestine since 2006 has been an object of repeated severe military attacks that left heavy metals remnants in the environment, in wound tissues and that were assumed by the population. Retrospective studies showed a progressive increase in birth defects since the 2006 attacks. In 2011 we started surveillance at birth alongside analysis of the heavy metals load carried by pregnant women and their babies. Methods: We used protocols for birth registration which also document the extent of exposures to attacks, war remnants and to other environmental risks that allow comparison of 3 data sets—2011, 2016 and 2018–2019 (4000–6000 women in each set). By ICP/MS analysis we determined the content of 23 metals in mothers’ hair. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. Results: Comparison of data in birth registers showed a major increase in the prevalence in birth defects and preterm babies between 2011 and 2016, respectively from 1.1 to 1.8% and from 1.1 to 7.9%, values remaining stable in 2019. Negative outcomes at birth in 2016 up to 2019 were associated with exposure of the mothers to the attacks in 2014 and/or to hot spots of heavy metals contamination. Metal loads since the attacks in 2014 were consistently high until 2018–2019 for barium, arsenic, cobalt, cadmium, chrome, vanadium and uranium, pointing to these metals as potential inducers for the increased prevalence of negative health outcomes at birth since 2016. Conclusions: Bodily accumulation of metals following exposure whilst residing in attacked buildings predispose women to negative birth outcomes. We do not know if the metals act in synergy. Trial for mitigation of the documented negative effects of high metal load on reproductive health, and ensuing perinatal deaths, could now be done in Gaza, based on this documentary record. High load of heavy metals may explain recent increases in non-communicable diseases and cancers at all ages in Gaza. Modern war’s legacy of diseases and deaths extends in time to populations and demands monitoring.


1954 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Olsen

The school shark fishery in south-eastern Australian waters has operated on a homogeneous stock which has a low reproductive potential. The species is slow-growing; the smallest mature males (120 cm) are over 8 yr of age and the smallest mature females (135 cm) are at least 2 yr older. The gestation period is approximately 6 months and it is estimated that only about half the female population bear young each year. Each gravid female carries 17-41 young with a mean number of 28. The lengths of the normal full-term embryos range from 280 to 350 mm with a mean for both sexes of 300 mm. The larger females tend to have the longest embryos. Slightly more male than female young (54 : 46) are born. Because the inshore populations of juveniles have been dwindling and the size of the older stock is decreasing, it is believed that this slow-growing species is being overfished. Measures aimed at protecting school sharks in their vulnerable stages have been proposed. Any conservation programme will be long-term as this shark has such a low reproductive capacity.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. e24866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aoife M. Doyle ◽  
Helen A. Weiss ◽  
Kaballa Maganja ◽  
Saidi Kapiga ◽  
Sheena McCormack ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunčanica Ljubin-Sternak ◽  
Tomislav Meštrović

The most prevalent, curable sexually important diseases are those caused byChlamydia trachomatis(C. trachomatis) and genital mycoplasmas. An important characteristic of these infections is their ability to cause long-term sequels in upper genital tract, thus potentially affecting the reproductive health in both sexes. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), tubal factor infertility (TFI), and ectopic pregnancy (EP) are well documented complications ofC. trachomatisinfection in women. The role of genital mycoplasmas in development of PID, TFI, and EP requires further evaluation, but growing evidence supports a significant role for these in the pathogenesis of chorioamnionitis, premature membrane rupture, and preterm labor in pregnant woman. BothC. trachomatisand genital mycoplasmas can affect the quality of sperm and possibly influence the fertility of men. For the purpose of this paper, basic, epidemiologic, clinical, therapeutic, and public health issue of these infections were reviewed and discussed, focusing on their impact on human reproductive health.


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