Changes in lipid content and fatty acid composition along the reproductive cycle of the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha: Its modulation by clofibrate exposure

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2012-08, Vol.432, p.195-201
• Main Authors: Lazzara, Raimondo, Fernandes, Denise, Faria, Melissa, López, Jordi F., Tauler, Romà, Porte, Cinta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon; Clofibrate; Clofibrate - pharmacology; Colorimetry; Concentration (composition); Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dreissena - drug effects; Dreissena - physiology; Dreissena polymorpha; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Flame Ionization; Fresh water ecosystems; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; General aspects; Hypolipidemic Agents - pharmacology; Invertebrates; Lipid Metabolism - drug effects; Lipids; Modulation; Mollusca; Mussels; Random Allocation; Reduction; Reproduction; Rivers; Spain; Synecology; Triglycerides; Triglycerides - metabolism; Weight reduction
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.05.094

Total lipids and fatty acid profiles were determined along the reproductive cycle of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). A total of 33 fatty acids with carbon atoms from 14 to 22 were identified: palmitic acid (16:0) was the most abundant fatty acid (13–24%) followed by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n−3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n−3) and palmitoleic acid (16:1n−7). Some individual fatty acids (16:0, 16:2n−4, 18:1n−7, 18:2n−6, 18:3n−4, 18:4n−3, 20:4n−3, 20:5n−3) were strongly related to reproductive events, while others having structural-type functions (18:0 and 22:6n−3) were rather stable during the study period. Multivariate analysis of the whole data set using the multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares method confirmed the strong relationship of fatty acid profiles with the reproductive cycle of zebra mussel. Additionally, the effects of the pharmaceutical clofibrate on lipid composition and fatty acid profiles were assessed following 7-day exposure of zebra mussels to a wide range of concentrations (20ng/L to 2mg/L). A significant reduction in total triglycerides (38%–48%) together with an increase in the amount of fatty acids per gram wet weight (1.5- to 2.2-fold) was observed in the exposed mussels. This work highlights the ability of clofibrate to induce changes on the lipidome of zebra mussels at concentrations as low as 200ng/L. ► Clofibrate exposure leads to a reduction of total triglycerides in zebra mussel. ► The amount of fatty acids per gram wet weight increased in exposed mussels. ► The effects were evidenced at concentrations of clofibrate as low as 200ng/L. ► Fatty acid profiles were closely related to reproductive events.