Effects of cadmium and phenol on motility and ultrastructure of sea urchin and mussel spermatozoa

Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used to study the effects of Cd(II) and phenol on sperm motility of sea urchin and mussel. In parallel, ultrastructural changes of sperm induced by these two toxicants were also investigated and related to motility impairment. Spermatozoa of sea urchin wer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology 2000-05, Vol.38 (4), p.455-463
Main Authors: AU, D. W. T, CHIANG, M. W. L, WU, R. S. S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Bivalvia
Bivalvia - drug effects
Cadmium
Cadmium - toxicity
Echinodermata
Echinoidea
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on protozoa and invertebrates
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Invertebrates
Male
Mollusca
Mollusks
Motility
Mytilidae
Mytilus
Phenol - toxicity
Phenols
Sea Urchins - drug effects
Sperm
Sperm Motility - drug effects
Sperm Motility - physiology
Spermatozoa - drug effects
Spermatozoa - physiology
Spermatozoa - ultrastructure
Swimming
Toxicants
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Summary:Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used to study the effects of Cd(II) and phenol on sperm motility of sea urchin and mussel. In parallel, ultrastructural changes of sperm induced by these two toxicants were also investigated and related to motility impairment. Spermatozoa of sea urchin were more sensitive than mussel spermatozoa to both toxicants. Sea urchin sperm motility showed a good dose-response relationship to Cd(II) levels as well as exposure time. Exposure to the two toxicants changed the size and shape of the midpiece, which might affect the balance of spermatozoa in their swimming. The plasma membrane became more convoluted, and such a change might affect the streamlining and integrity of spermatozoa and hinder their normal movement patterns. Most important, disorganization of mitochondrial membranes and cristae was observed, suggesting disruption of ATP supply for sperm movement. Cadmium also induced greater ultrastructural damages in sea urchin spermatozoa.
ISSN:0090-4341
1432-0703
DOI:10.1007/s002449910060