In vitro Effect of Produced Water on Cod, Gadus morhua, Sperm Cells and Fertilization

Abstract

The in vitro effect of produced water released by oil and gas platforms was assessed by exposing cod sperm cells to realistic concentrations of this mixture (100, 200, 500 ppm). We investigated produced water impact on enzymes of the aerobic (citrate synthase) and glycolytic metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase), lipid catabolism (lipase), as well as an anti-oxidant enzyme (catalase). Fertilization rates, viability, respiration, ATP, and total motility duration were also evaluated. To explore correlations between these parameters, we have also tested the effect of conserving sperm for 24 h at 4 degrees C. After conservation, fertilization success was decreased but other parameters were not affected. Produced water did not result in a significant change in fertilization; a significant increase in sperm protein amounts and citrate synthase activity can be observed. No correlations are found between parameters showing that sperm viability and unchanged energy levels do not translate into equivalent fertilization capacity. To conclude, exposure of sperm to produced water resulted only in subtle effects on cells. These findings bring information on the effect of produced water on sperm itself rather than on spermatogenesis or testis development of an exposed fish.

Sperm Metabolism and Biochemical Characteristics in First‐Time and Second‐Time Spawners of Farmed Atlantic Cod

“…Energy levels and enzymes involved in glycolytic metabolism can provide good indices of the general status of sperm; nonetheless, data from the literature show conflicting results when reporting existing correlations with fertilization, and most studies link metabolism with motility rather than with fertilizing capacity (e.g., Perchec et al 1995). Similarly, Hamoutene et al (2010) found no correlations between some of the characteristics explored in this study and no correlations with fertilization rates. Studies on numerous fish species have shown that energy used during sperm motility is made available from ATP that is accumulated before activation (Billard and Cosson 1990;Perchec et al 1995), from ATP that is regenerated during and even after motility (i.e., through respiration and glycolysis), and from lipid catabolism (Billard and Cosson 1990;Lahnsteiner et al 1993;Mansour et al 2003).…”

“…Similarly, Hamoutene et al (2010) found no correlations between some of the characteristics explored in this study and no correlations with fertilization rates. Studies on numerous fish species have shown that energy used during sperm motility is made available from ATP that is accumulated before activation (Billard and Cosson 1990;Perchec et al 1995), from ATP that is regenerated during and even after motility (i.e., through respiration and glycolysis), and from lipid catabolism (Billard and Cosson 1990;Lahnsteiner et al 1993;Mansour et al 2003).…”

“…In this study, we analyzed biochemical characteristics that are still unknown for Atlantic cod sperm (Hamoutene et al 2010) and we compared the characteristics of F 1 hatchery-reared males at their first and second spawning events. The lack of predictive capabilities from estimates of spermatocrit (Rakitin et al 1999b) and sperm motility (Trippel and Neilson 1992) suggests that other attributes of sperm must be investigated to determine potential reproductive success.…”

“…Most studies of Atlantic cod first-time spawners have focused on fertilization, hatching success, and egg quality (e.g., Trippel and Neilson 1992;Trippel 1998), whereas only a few have studied sperm characteristics (Rakitin et al 1999a;Yoneda and Wright 2005). In this study, we analyzed biochemical characteristics that are still unknown for Atlantic cod sperm (Hamoutene et al 2010) and we compared the characteristics of F 1 hatchery-reared males at their first and second spawning events. The lack of predictive capabilities from estimates of spermatocrit (Rakitin et al 1999b) and sperm motility (Trippel and Neilson 1992) suggests that other attributes of sperm must be investigated to determine potential reproductive success.…”

Integrative Environmental Genomics of Cod (Gadus morhua): The Proteomics Approach

“…Several of these compounds are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, mutagens, and carcinogens, and were found to exert cytotoxic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic effects on a range of different organisms (Evanson & Van Der Kraak, 2001;Hasselberg et al, 2004;Livingstone, 2001;Machala et al, 2001;Santodonato, 1997). Numerous studies have reported physiological and biochemical alterations in aquatic organisms after exposure to PW, or components of PW alone, including DNA damage, micronuclei (MN) formation, oxidative stress, changes in CYP expression, and altered metabolism in germ cells (Caliani et al, 2009;Farmen et al, 2010;Hamoutene et al, 2010;Stephens et al, 2000;Sturve et al, 2006). The most well-studied compounds of PW are polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons and alkyl phenols, which both can cause severe effects on marine wildlife (Aas et al, 2000;Cardinali et al, 2004;Evanson & Van Der Kraak, 2001;Meier et al, 2007;Nicolas, 1999;Schwaiger et al, 2002).…”