Cadmium ion effect in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio)

CHED 1071

Elizabeth H. LeMasters1, Ashley J. Goss1, Kerri S. Warren, kwarren@rwu.edu1, and Stephen K. O'Shea, soshea@rwu.edu2. (1) Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Department of Chemistry, Roger Williams University, 1 Old Ferry Rd., Bristol, RI 02809, (2) Department of Chemistry, Roger Williams University, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809
A zebrafish larvae bioassay was developed to explore the biological impact of a cadmium environment on early stage development. Our previous research in the lab suggested that the presence of excess sodium acetate affects the accumulation of cadmium in four day old zebrafish. This study compares the effects of 1, 5 and 50 μM CdCl2 and Cd(CH3CO2)2 on larval morphology and physiology. The dose-dependent biological response to both forms of cadmium was determined, but there was no significant observable difference between larvae exposed to chloride versus acetate ion. Both cadmium species induced shortened body lengths, pronounced axis curvature, cardiovascular defects and a lethal failure to inflate the swim bladder. ICP-MS (111Cd) accumulation in the presence of acetate and other chelating ligands (NTA, EDTA) were investigated to find a correlation between accumulation, bioavailability, and phenotype. A correlation of total accumulated Cd ion versus physiological response was also observed. Supported by RI-INBRE NIH P20 RR016457.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008