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Published on: March 6, 2018
Reproductive Effects of Two Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on the Rotifer Brachionus plicatilis
Jing Zhang1, You Wang1, Bin Zhou1
1College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China.
Abstract:
The effects of two polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on the reproduction of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis were investigated. Results showed that sexual maturation was promoted by tetra-brominated diphenyl ether-47 (BDE-47) and deca-brominated diphenyl ether-209 (BDE-209), whereas fecundity was inhibited by BDE-47, but promoted by BDE-209. Additionally, both PBDEs affected the expression of two genes, vasa and nanos mRNA, related to rotifer reproduction. This suggests a possible regulatory molecular mechanism at the transcriptional level. Our research extends the current knowledge of the ecotoxicological mechanism induced by PBDEs and provides further essential information for assessing the risks of PBDE contamination in marine ecosystems.
