The toxic effects of microcystin-LR on embryo-larval and juvenile development of loach, Misguruns mizolepis Gunthe

Distribution of microcystins in various organs (heart, liver, intestine, gonad, brain, kidney and lung) of Wistar rat via intravenous injection

“…MCs have been known to cause damage to heart (Ross et al, 1995;Best et al, 2001). Liu et al (2002) examined the ultrastructural changes in the loach heart muscle and red blood cells induced by MC-LR, and found that both liver and heart were the targets of MC-LR. Ross et al (1995) observed some pathophysiological changes (a sustained, rapid decline in cardiac output and a decreased heart rate) in heart of rats after i.v.…”

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo as a model system for identification and characterization of developmental toxins from marine and freshwater microalgae

“…With respect to this latter point, developmental toxicity of MC-LR has also been investigated in loach (Misguruns mizolepis), as an alternative freshwater fish model, by direct submersion of embryos (Liu et al, 2002). Interestingly, and in contrast to results with the zebrafish, exposure by immersion induced an array of embryonic abnormalities, including pericardial edema, tubular heart, bradycardia, homeostasis, poor yolk resumption, small head and curved body and tail, as well as a reduction in hatching rate.…”

Effects of pure microcystin-LR on the transcription of immune related genes and heat shock proteins in larval stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…In previous studies, the production and release of hatching enzymes of fish in early life stages could be directly affected by MCs Jacquet et al, 2004;Liu et al, 2002), and the histopathological and developmental toxic effects of MCs on embryos and fish larvae were also investigated (Best et al, 2002;Palikova et al, 2004). However the influences of microcysins on the immune system of fish larvae during development were neglected.…”