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Rainbow trout embryos: advantages and limitations for carcinogenesis research
National Cancer Institute Monograph
|May 1, 1984
Summary
Rainbow trout embryos effectively model carcinogen testing, showing sensitivity to various toxins like aflatoxin B1 and nitrosamines. This research highlights their utility as a whole-animal system for detecting carcinogenic effects.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
- Carcinogenesis Research
Background:
- Rainbow trout embryos are susceptible to carcinogen-induced neoplasms.
- Early studies demonstrated this sensitivity using the liver carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate rainbow trout embryos as a model system for carcinogen testing.
- To assess the sensitivity of trout embryos to various classes of carcinogens.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of 21-day-old rainbow trout embryos to water-soluble carcinogens (AFB1, aflatoxin metabolites, nitrosamines, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine).
- Observation of tumor initiation and development in various tissues over time.
- Assessment of dose and exposure duration effects.
Main Results:
- A 30-minute exposure to 0.5-ppm AFB1 induced liver tumors in 65% of survivors.
- Embryos showed sensitivity to AFB1 dose, exposure length, and embryonic age.
- Trout embryos responded to other mycotoxins and several nitrosamine hepatocarcinogens.
- Sensitivity to direct-acting carcinogens like N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine was observed, causing tumors and sex reversal.
Conclusions:
- Rainbow trout embryos are a sensitive and convenient whole-animal model for carcinogen research.
- The embryo's metabolic capacity, including cytochrome P-450, supports carcinogen activation.
- This model offers distinct advantages for carcinogen testing and research.