Effects of thallium exposure on intestinal microbial community and organ functions in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic trace metal widely distributed in water environments, which may threaten the water quality and aquatic organisms at excessive levels due to increased anthropogenic activities. This study investigated the changes in microbial communities of intestines and organs of zeb...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Elementa (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 2021-01, Vol.9 (1)
Main Authors: Wang Yuxuan, Zhou, Yuting, Wei, Xudong, Chen Yuxuan, Beiyuan Jingzi, She Jingye, Wang, Lulu, Liu, Juan, Liu, Yu, Wang, Jin, Cao Jielong, Jiang Yanjun, Zheng Shida, Zhong Qijian, Liu, Weifeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropogenic factors
Aquatic environment
Aquatic organisms
Bacteria
Behavior
Community structure
Danio rerio
Discriminant analysis
Drinking water
Environmental protection
Exposure
Genetic testing
Histopathology
Intestinal microflora
Intestine
Laboratory animals
Liver
Mating behavior
Microbial activity
Microorganisms
Rivers
Taxonomy
Thallium
Toxicity
Trace metals
Trout
Water quality
Zebrafish
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic trace metal widely distributed in water environments, which may threaten the water quality and aquatic organisms at excessive levels due to increased anthropogenic activities. This study investigated the changes in microbial communities of intestines and organs of zebrafish. The toxic response assessments include intestinal microbiota composition and the histopathology of zebrafish’s gill and liver tissues under exposure of Tl at environmental-relevant levels. The results support that the intestinal microbial community of zebrafish greatly changed under a relatively high Tl concentration (1000 ng/L). A significant increase of pathogenic intestinal bacteria such as Mycobaterium in the intestine of zebrafish exposed at Tl levels over 500 ng/L was found. Additionally, the gill and liver tissues displayed different degrees of damage under Tl exposure, which possibly leads to mating behavior changes and death of zebrafish. The results indicate that low doses of Tl in the aquatic environment induce high toxicity on zebrafish and may pose pathological threats to the gill and liver of zebrafish. In addition, Tl exposure gives rise to increasing abundance of pathogenic intestinal bacteria and changes the community structure of intestinal microorganisms.
ISSN:2325-1026
2325-1026
DOI:10.1525/elementa.2021.00092