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Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Raising the Mexican Tetra Astyanax mexicanus for Analysis of Post-larval Phenotypes and Whole-mount Immunohistochemistry
Published on: December 28, 2018
Uptake, tissue distribution and elimination in a native fish species Astyanax eigenmanniorum exposed to inorganic
Paola L Garnero1, Magdalena V Monferran2, María de Los Ángeles Bistoni1
1IDEA - Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (CONICET) and Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299 (X5000JJC), Córdoba, Argentina.
Abstract:
The increasing contamination of water bodies with mercury (Hg) raises concerns about the possible effects of this metal on native fish species. Our current understanding of its dynamics in fish organs remains limited. In this study, adult individuals of the native species Astyanax eigenmanniorum were exposed to three environmentally relevant HgCl2 concentrations (5, 100, and 170 μg L-1) for 96 h. To evaluate total Hg (THg) elimination, new individuals were exposed to 100 μg L-1 of HgCl2 (96 h), and at the end of the exposure period, half of the fish were placed in tanks with clean water for 168 h. In both assays, the organs were removed, and THg levels were measured using ICP-MS. The uptake of IHg in A. eigenmanniorum showed a differential accumulation in the organs. Gills, intestine, and brain were the tissues with the highest THg levels. Finally, no elimination of THg in the water was observed, but intestine and gills significantly removed the THg accumulated. Probably a Hg redistribution through the tissues could take place.
