Au Nunavik, il est recommandé aux femmes inuites enceintes et allaitantes de consommer un bouillon à base de poisson, car cela favoriserait la croissance du bébé pendant la grossesse et l’allaitement. Cependant, celles-ci ont une demande nutritionnelle plus élevée et les carences en fer (Fe) et en calcium (Ca) sont fréquentes. De plus, certaines espèces de poissons peuvent être riches en métaux et métalloïdes potentiellement toxiques, tels que le mercure (Hg) et l’arsenic (As), mais peu est connu sur le transfert de ceux-ci vers le bouillon. Ce projet visait à optimiser le bouillon à base de poisson en mesurant les nutriments (potassium (K), Ca, magnésium (Mg), Fe, zinc (Zn), sélénium (Se)) et les métaux et les métalloïdes potentiellement toxiques (Hg, As, cadmium (Cd)) dans diverses espèces de poissons (omble de fontaine (Salvelinus fontinalis), grand corégone (Coregonus clupeaformis), truite grise (Salvelinus namaycush), omble chevalier (Salvelinus alpinus)) et d’autres ingrédients comme les algues (Alaria esculenta), les moules (Mytilus edulis) et les myes (Mya truncata) qui peuvent être riches en Fe et en Ca et augmenter le contenu nutritionnel du bouillon. Nous avions aussi regardé l’utilisation d’un produit commercial, le Lucky Iron Fish (LIF)®, pour augmenter la teneur en Fe du bouillon. Pour évaluer l’effet de la cuisson sur les concentrations dans les ingrédients et le transfert potentiel des nutriments, des métaux et des métalloïdes vers le bouillon, les tissus crus et cuits ainsi que les bouillons ont été comparés. Les analyses incluaient la spéciation du Hg et de l’As dans quelques ingrédients ainsi que la bioaccessibilité des nutriments et des métaux et des métalloïdes potentiellement toxiques dans les algues et les bivalves. La plupart des espèces de poissons étaient d’excellentes sources de K, Mg, Zn et Se, tandis que les algues et les bivalves étaient des sources excellentes de Ca, Mg et Zn et en Fe pour les bivalves. Le LIF était une source potentielle de Fe lorsqu’il était préconditionné dans de l’eau acidifié à un pH de 3,5 et qu’une femme enceinte consommait environ 20 tasses ou 5 L du bouillon en une journée pour avoir des apports similaires à ceux du manufacturier. Les concentrations en métaux et en métalloïdes pour la plupart des ingrédients étaient inférieures à la 2 valeur maximale recommandée pour les ingrédients commerciaux, à l’exception des grosses truites grises qui présentaient des concentrations élevées en Hg surtout dans les joues et les muscles. Cependant, de faibles concentrations en Hg ont été mesurées dans le bouillon de poisson. L’étude de la spéciation du Hg a révélé que les poissons contenaient plus de 90 % de méthylmercure, à l’exception de l’omble chevalier avec 80 %, alors que les autres ingrédients en contenaient moins de 50 %. Deux tissus d’algues crues et les bouillons des deux espèces de poisson (surtout la truite grise) présentaient des niveaux d’As supérieurs à la valeur recommandée. Les algues contenaient environ 40 % d’arsénosucres et 33 % d’arsénolipides et les bivalves contenaient moins de 20 % d’arsénosucres et 66 à 73 % d’arsénolipides. Les truites grises et leurs bouillons contenaient plus de 90 % d’arsénobétaïne. Les enzymes utilisées pour les tests de bioaccessibilité étaient riches en plusieurs métaux essentiels mesurés ; la bioaccessibilité de ces métaux n’a donc pas été quantifiée pour ceux-ci. La bioaccessibilité des métaux et des métalloïdes potentiellement toxiques chez les algues et les bivalves était de 100 % pour le Cd, de 40 % pour l’As total pour les algues et 100 % pour les bivalves, et a varié entre 25 et 50 % pour le Hg total (à l’exception de deux échantillons d’algues à 75 %). D’après nos résultats, tous les bouillons réalisés à partir des différentes espèces de poisson ainsi que leurs différentes parties sont sécuritaires à la consommation pour les femmes enceintes et allaitantes, hormis les muscles et les joues de grosses truites grises. Cependant, le bouillon fait avec de grosses truites grises peut être consommé. De plus, les algues et les bivalves sont d’excellents ingrédients à ajouter à la recette pour optimiser sa teneur en nutriments. Une recette optimale serait donc faite d’un poisson autre que la grosse truite grise, et des algues et des bivalves y seraient ajoutés et consommés en entier pour avoir l’apport nutritionnel de ses ingrédients. / In Nunavik, it is recommended to pregnant and breastfeeding Inuit women to consume fish-based broth because it is said to help the baby’s growth during pregnancy and with lactation. However, these women have a higher nutritional demand and iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) deficiencies are quite common. Additionally, some fish species can be high in potentially toxic metal(loid)s such mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) and it is unknown to what extent these can transfer to the broth. This project aims to optimize the fish-based broth by measuring the nutrients (potassium (K), Ca, magnesium (Mg), Fe, zinc (Zn), selenium (Se)) and potentially toxic metal(loid)s (Hg, As, cadmium (Cd)) in various fish species (brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)) and other ingredients like seaweed (Alaria esculenta), mussels (Mytilus edulis) and clams (Mya truncata) which can be rich in Fe and in Ca and increase the nutritional content of the broth. We also looked at the use of a commercial product, the Lucky Iron Fish (LIF)®, to increase the Fe content of the broth. To investigate the effect of cooking on the concentration of various ingredients and the potential transfer of nutrients and metal(loid)s to the broth, raw and cooked tissues and their broth were compared. Analysis included Hg and As speciation in various ingredients as well as the bioaccessibility of the nutrients and potentially toxic metal(loid)s in seaweeds and bivalves. Most fish species were excellent sources of K, Mg, Zn and Se, while seaweeds and bivalves were excellent sources of Ca, Mg and Zn and Fe for bivalves. The LIF was a potential source of Fe when preconditioned in water acidified to a pH level of 3.5 and a pregnant woman consumed approximately 20 cups or 5 L of the broth in a day to have intakes similar to those of the manufacturer. Most ingredients had metal(loid) concentration below the maximum recommended value for commercial ingredients except for large lake trout which had high Hg concentration especially in the cheeks and the muscles. However, low concentrations of Hg were measured in the fish broth. Study of Hg speciation showed that fish contained more than 90% of methylmercury 4 except for Arctic char with 80%, while the other ingredients contained less than 50%. Two raw seaweed tissues and the broth of both fish species (especially lake trout) had As levels above the recommended value. Seaweeds contained roughly 40% arsenosugars and 33% arsenolipids and bivalves contained fewer than 20% arsenosugars and 66–73% arsenolipids. Lake trouts and their broths contained more than 90% arsenobetaine. The enzymes used for the bioaccessibility test were rich in several essential metals measured; bioaccessibility of these metals were therefore not quantified. Bioaccessibility of potentially toxic metal(loid)s in seaweeds and bivalves was 100% for Cd, 40% for total As for seaweeds and 100% for bivalves and varied between 25 and 50% for total Hg (with the exception of two seaweed samples at 75%). According to our results, all broths made from different species of fish as well as their different parts are safe for consumption by pregnant and breastfeeding women, except the muscles and cheeks of large lake trout. However, broth made with large lake trout can be consumed. Additionally, seaweeds and bivalves are excellent ingredients to add to the recipe to optimize its nutrient content. An optimal recipe would then be made with a fish other than large lake trout, and seaweed and bivalves will be added and consumed entirely to obtain the nutritional contribution of these ingredients.

Submitted by Biblioteca de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica BGQ (bgq@ndc.uff.br) on 2016-09-20T18:44:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Nafisa Rizzini Ansari.pdf: 8620069 bytes, checksum: 16d148c878ee2d9445629dc9780642f5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-20T18:44:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Nafisa Rizzini Ansari.pdf: 8620069 bytes, checksum: 16d148c878ee2d9445629dc9780642f5 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Química. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências - Geoquímica. Niterói, RJ / Os objetivos do presente estudo foram avaliar a anêmona-do-mar Bunodosoma caissarum como espécie biomonitora da contaminação por metais para a Baía de Guanabara (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) e a região insular adjacente, comparando-a com uma espécie tradicionalmente utilizada na região: o mexilhão Perna perna; além de investigar a bioacumulação de Cd, Hg e Zn por B. caissarum e P. perna por meio de experimentos de incubação em laboratório. A Baía de Guanabara é uma baía eutrófica contaminada por diversos metais. A região insular adjacente é considerada menos impactada por metais, porém esta é influenciada por aportes antrópicos, como os efluentes dos emissários submarinos e a disposição de material dragado em locais próximos a esta região. Bivalves, como o P. perna, são amplamente utilizados para o biomonitoramento de metais na Baía de Guanabara. No entanto, a anêmona B. caissarum pode ser uma alternativa em ambientes onde os mexilhões não são abundantes ou não existem. Neste estudo, mediram-se as concentrações de metais nos tecidos de B. caissarum e P. perna amostrados na Baía de Guanabara e na região insular adjacente em 2013 e estas foram comparadas com concentrações medidas nos mesmos locais em 2009. Os elementos Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Ti, V e Zn foram determinados por espectrometria de massa com fonte de plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS). Foi observada uma grande variabilidade espacial e temporal nas concentrações dos metais nos tecidos de B. caissarum e P. perna. No entanto, ambas as espécies foram capazes de bioacumular todos os elementos estudados. Devido à abundância de B. caissarum na área de estudo e a sua capacidade de bioacumular os metais estudados, sugere-se seu uso como biomonitor de metais e seu potencial uso como biomonitor complementar para estudos de biomonitoramento com mais de uma espécie de invertebrado, como P. perna. Com esta finalidade, deve-se estudar melhor as características de bioacumulação de metais de interesse ambiental e ecotoxicológico, como Hg, Cd e Zn, por B. caissarum para possibilitar seu uso. Com este intuito, realizaram-se incubações com Hg, Cd e Zn em microcosmos com B. caissarum e P. perna. Os espécimes foram incubados com isótopos destes metais em aquários e as concentrações foram monitoradas durante o período de incubação. O experimento com Hg investigou como B. caissarum afeta a distribuição, metilação e volatilização de Hg adicionando-se o radiotraçador 203Hg a microcosmos com e sem B. caissarum. Mediu-se o Hg total e o metilmercúrio (MeHg) por espectrometria gama e cintilação líquida respectivamente. Os espécimes apresentaram um fator de bioconcentração de 70. Observou-se a produção de MeHg em todos os microcosmos e uma maior volatilização de Hg nos microcosmos com B. caissarum. Nos experimentos com Cd e Zn, spikes enriquecidos em 116Cd ou 68Zn foram adicionados aos microcosmos com B. caissarum ou P. perna e as concentrações foram medidas através do monitoramento de razões isotópicas. Os fatores de bioconcentração para B. caissarum e P. perna expostos a 0,9 μg L-1 de 116Cd foram respectivamente 80,5 e 850 e em espécimes expostos a 1,4 μg L-1, 6,9 μg L-1 e 34,7 μg L-1 de 68Zn foram respectivamente 243, 398 e 340 em B. caissarum e 1789, 1238 e 621 em P. perna. As proteínas citosólicas associadas ao Cd e ao Zn foram extraídas dos tecidos dos espécimes incubados e analisadas por cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho e espectrometria de massa com fonte de plasma indutivamente acoplado. Frações citosólicas associadas ao Cd e ao Zn foram detectadas em ambas as espécies. Em todos os experimentos B. caissarum expeliu secreções mucosas que continham os isótopos adicionados. Estes estudos possibilitaram uma melhor compreensão das características de bioacumulação de Hg, Cd e Zn pelas espécies estudadas e fornecem subsídios para sua aplicação em estudos de biomonitoramento destes metais. / The objectives of this study were to evaluate the sea anemone Bunodosoma caissarum as a biomonitor species for metal contamination in Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and an adjacent island region, by comparing it with another species traditionally used in the region: the mussel Perna perna. It was also to investigate the uptake of Cd, Hg and Zn through laboratory incubation experiments with both species. Guanabara Bay is an eutrophic bay contaminated by several metals. The adjacent island region is considered less impacted by metals, although that region is influenced by anthropic inputs, such as the effluents of submarine outfalls and the disposal of dredged material from surrounding sites. Bivalves, such as P. perna, are widely used for biomonitoring metal contamination in Guanabara Bay. However the sea anemone B. caissarum can be an alternative in sites where the mussels are not abundant or do not exist. In this study, metal concentrations were measured in the tissues of B. caissarum and P. perna sampled in Guanabara Bay and adjacent islands in 2013 and were compared to previous measurements in the same sites in 2009. The elements Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Ti, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). There was a great spatial and temporal variability of metal concentrations in the tissues of B. caissarum and P. perna. Yet both species were able to bioaccumulate all the studied elements. Due to the abundance of B. Caissarum in the studied area and its capacity to bioaccumulate the studied elements, its use as a biomonitor of metals is suggested and its potential use as a complementary biomonitor. For this purpose, it is necessary to better understand the bioaccumulation characteristics of metals of environmental and ecotoxicological concern by B. caissarum. So, incubations were carried out with Hg, Cd and Zn in microcosms with B. caissarum and P. perna. Specimens were incubated with isotopes of these metals in aquariums and concentrations were monitored during an incubation period. The Hg experiment investigated how B. caissarum affects Hg distribution, methylation and volatilization by adding the radiotracer 203Hg to microcosms with and without the sea anemone. Total Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) were measured respectively by gamma spectrometry and liquid scintillation. Specimens presented a bioconcentration factor of 70. There was MeHg production in all microcosms and a higher Hg volatilization occurred in microcosms with B. caissarum. In Cd and Zn experiments, enriched 116Cd or 68Zn spikes were added to microcosms with B. caissarum or P. perna and concentrations were measured by monitoring isotope ratios. Bioconcentration factors for B. caissarum and P. perna exposed to 0.9 μg L-1 of 116Cd were respectively 80.5 and 850. In specimens exposed to 1.4 μg L-1, 6.9 μg L-1 and 34.7 μg L-1 of 68Zn those factors were respectively 243, 398 and 340 in B. caissarum and 1789, 1238 and 621 for P. perna. Cytosolic proteins associated with Cd and Zn from the tissues of the incubated specimens were extracted and analyzed by sizeexclusion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Cd and Zn-accumulating cytosolic fractions were detected in both species. In all experiments B. caissarum expelled mucus secretions that contained the added isotopes. These studies enabled a better understanding of the bioaccumulation characteristics of Hg, Cd and Zn by the studied species and can contribute to their use in biomonitoring studies with these metals.

Aus Patagonien lagen bisher wenige Daten zu paläoökologischen Veränderungen und zur Paläobiodiversität an der Kreide-Paläogen (K/Pg)-Grenze vor. Um diese Lücke zu schließen, wurden in den argentinischen Provinzen Neuquén und Chubut zahlreiche Profile im Bereich der K/Pg-Grenze detailliert beprobt. Während einer Planktonkrise, wie sie für die K/Pg-Grenze angenommen wird, werden für benthische Mollusken folgende Entwicklungen erwartet: 1. eine Abnahme der Individuenzahlen der Benthosorganismen, 2. eine Abnahme der vom Plankton als Nahrungsquelle direkt abhängigen Organismen, 3. eine Abnahme der Benthonten mit planktotrophen Larvalstadien, 4. eine Abnahme der mittleren Körpergröße der Individuen benthischer Faunengemeinschaften und 5. eine Abnahme der Organismen mit hoher Stoffwechselrate bzw. aktiver, mobiler Lebensweise. Tatsächlich waren die hungerresistenten Gruppen der Nuculoida (flach-infaunale Depositfresser) und der Lucinidae (Chemosymbionten) im Danium signifikant häufiger als im Maastrichtium, während der Faunenanteil der Suspensionsfresser im Danium im Vergleich zum Maastrichtium signifikant niedriger ist. In den Faunengemeinschaften des Daniums von Bajo de Añelo konnten Abnahmen der Individuenzahlen, der mittleren Mobilität und der mittleren Größe festgestellt werden. Die beobachteten paläoökologischen Veränderungen zeigen somit eine Selektivität, die sich auch in der Paläobiodiversitätsdynamik widerspiegelt. Auch hier sind Suspensionsfresser, die direkt vom Planktonangebot abhängig sind, stärker betroffen als Chemosymbionten und flach-infaunale Depositfresser. Die Aussterberaten für Bivalven sind mit 28% moderat. Insgesamt sind die festgestellten Selektivitätsmuster konsistent mit den zu erwartenden Folgen einer Planktonkrise. Trotz einiger regionaler Unterschiede handelte es sich um ein globales Ereignis an der K/Pg-Grenze, das Nord- und Südhalbkugel gleichermaßen betroffen hat. / From Patagonia only a few data on palaeoecological changes and on palaeobiodiversity at the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg)-boundary are available so far. Therefore detailed samples in different K/Pg-sections in the Argentinian provinces of Neuquén and Chubut were taken to increase the data set for this region. The following trends are expected from a crisis of primary productivity in the aftermath of the K/Pg-boundary: 1. a reduction in the number of individuals of benthic organisms, 2. a decrease in the relative abundance of organisms which rely directly on photosynthesis, 3. a lower proportion of individuals with planktotrophic larval stages, 4. a reduction in the average body size of individuals within palaeocommunities and 5. an increased abundance of organisms with low metabolic rates or inactive lifestyles. In fact the proportion of the starvation-resistant groups of the Nuculoida (shallow-infaunal deposit feeders) and Lucinidae (chemosymbionts) were significantly higher in the Danian compared to the Maastrichtian. In contrast to this, the proportion of suspension feeders in the palaeocommunities was significantly lower in the Danian in comparison with the Maastrichtian. In the Danian benthic assemblages of the Bajo de Añelo area, a decrease in number of individuals, mean mobility and mean size was recognised after the K/Pg-boundary. Thus the palaeoecological changes display a selectivity, which is also reflected in the palaeobiodiversity. Suspension feeders, which depend directly on plankton particles from the water column, show higher extinction rates than chemosymbionts and shallow-infaunal deposit feeders. The extinction rates of Patagonian bivalves are moderate (28%). Overall, the recognized selectivity patterns are consistent with the expected aftermath of a crisis in primary productivity. Despite some local differences, the results argue for a global event at the K/Pg-boundary during which the northern and southern hemispheres were similarly affected.

Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2014-10-03T17:24:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertação completa corrigida_Isa _versão cd.pdf: 2410357 bytes, checksum: 77ffa404390e7378887c7388dd9bcce7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Fatima Cleômenis Botelho Maria (botelho@ufba.br) on 2014-10-06T15:28:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertação completa corrigida_Isa _versão cd.pdf: 2410357 bytes, checksum: 77ffa404390e7378887c7388dd9bcce7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-06T15:28:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertação completa corrigida_Isa _versão cd.pdf: 2410357 bytes, checksum: 77ffa404390e7378887c7388dd9bcce7 (MD5) / CNPq, CAPES, FAPESB e PETROBRÁS / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a distribuição de elementos essenciais e não essenciais em amostras de quatro espécies de moluscos bivalves e de sedimentos coletadas na Baía de todos os Santos (BTS), Bahia, Brasil, após digestão em forno de micro-ondas com cavidade. As amostras foram coletadas em sete localidades, entre setembro de 2010 e maio de 2011. As amostras foram analisadas para As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V e Zn por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES) e espectrometria de massa com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS ). Um procedimento de digestão assistida por micro-ondas otimizado, utilizando ácido nítrico diluído, foi utilizado para digerir as amostras de moluscos bivalves. As amostras de sedimentos foram digeridas em forno de micro-ondas seguindo o procedimento da Agência de Proteção Ambiental, EPA 3051A. A acumulação de metais em tecidos moles dos moluscos bivalves foi dependente da espécie. As amostras da espécie Lucina pectinata apresentaram as maiores concentrações de Cd, Cu e Pb quando comparadas com as espécies Anomalocardia brasiliana, Iphigenia brasiliana e Trachycardium muricatum. Todas as espécies apresentaram concentrações de As e Cr acima do limite máximo tolerável, especificados nas normas brasileiras. A análise exploratória dos dados por HCA e PCA mostrou uma tendência de formação de agrupamentos e caracterizações distintas entre as amostras das espécies Lucina pectinata e Trachycardium muricatum. Os resultados obtidos para as amostras de sedimentos indicaram que para a maioria dos elementos, as maiores concentrações foram encontradas na localidade de Tainheiros, sendo que todos os valores encontrados estão abaixo dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação americana e canadense. Este trabalho contribuiu para o fornecimento de informações inéditas sobre as concentrações de elementos essenciais e não essenciais nas espécies Lucina pectinata, Iphigenia brasiliana e Trachyrcardium muricatum amostradas em diferentes regiões da BTS. Além disso, foram obtidos dados complementares sobre a espécie Anomalocardia brasiliana e sedimentos, contribuindo assim para o monitoramento da região. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of essential and nonessential elements in samples of four species of bivalve molluscs and sediments collected in the Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), Bahia, Brazil, after digestion in microwave oven cavity. The samples were collected from seven sites in the Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, between September of 2010 and May of 2011. The samples were analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). An optimized microwave-assisted digestion procedure, using nitric acid diluted, was used to digest the bivalve molluscs samples. The sediment samples were digested in a microwave oven following the procedure of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 3051A. Accumulation of metals in bivalve mollusks tissues was specie-dependent. The samples of the species Lucina pectinata showed the highest concentrations of Cd, Cu and Pb. All species showed As and Cr concentrations higher than the maximum tolerable limit, specified in the Brazilian regulation. The exploratory data analysis by HCA and PCA showed a tendency to form two groups between samples of the species Lucina pectinata and Trachycardium muricatum. For the most elements in the results obtained for sediment samples, the highest concentrations were found in Tainheiros, and the values obtained are below the limits set by the Canadian and U.S. law. This work contributed to provide new information about the concentrations of essential and nonessential elements in Lucina pectinata, Iphigenia brasiliana and Trachyrcardium muricatum species sampled in different regions of the TSB. Furthermore, additional data were obtained for Anomalocardia bras

Les mitochondries sont généralement transmises de façon strictement maternelle. Chez les animaux, il existe une seule exception à ce mode de transmission mitochondriale : la transmission doublement uniparentale (DUI). La DUI est retrouvée uniquement chez certaines espèces de bivalves. Les mâles possèdent dans leurs gamètes le génome mitochondrial paternel, alors que les femelles ont dans leurs oeufs le génome mitochondrial maternel. Ces génomes possèdent respectivement m-orf ou f-orf, un cadre de lecture supplémentaire (outre les 13 codant pour les protéines mitochondriales de référence) potentiellement codant. La présence de ces ORF étant liée au sexe de l’animal, l’hypothèse a été avancée que ces protéines pourraient jouer un rôle dans le maintien de la DUI ou dans le déterminisme sexuel chez ces espèces. Ce projet consiste donc à mieux cerner les fonctions potentielles de ces orfs chez la moule bleue Mytilus edulis. Pour caractériser leur expression, nous avons procédé à des tests d’immunobuvardage sur des lysats de tissus gamétiques et somatiques mâles et femelles, ainsi qu’à des tests d’immunofluorescence sur des cultures cellulaires des deux sexes. Aussi, nous avons effectué des co-immunoprécipitation et des essais pull-down pour préciser les fonctions des protéines par l’entremise des partenaires d’interaction. Nous avons pu observer la présence de M-ORF dans les gonades mâles uniquement, plus particulièrement dans les mitochondries des spermatozoïdes et dans l’acrosome, et ce, uniquement durant la saison de reproduction des moules. F-ORF, cependant, était produite dans tous les tissus à tous les moments de l’année, encore une fois dans les mitochondries des cellules. Les deux protéines ont de nombreux partenaires d’interactions possibles, dont plusieurs sont liés à des processus spécifiques au sexe ou encore aux acides nucléiques. Les protéines M-ORF et F-ORF sont donc bien fonctionnelles. Leurs partenaires potentiels sont multiples, et d’autres essais doivent être effectués afin de préciser les fonctions des protéines. La présence dans l’acrosome de M-ORF est toutefois d’un grand intérêt en lien avec son rôle potentiel dans le DUI et le déterminisme sexuel. / Mitochondria are usually transmitted by strict maternal inheritance. In animals, there is only one exception to this: doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI). DUI can be found only in some bivalve species. Males have in their sperm a paternal mitochondrial genome whereas females have in their eggs the maternal mitochondrial genome. Both genomes possess an orf (other than the 13 coding for annotated mitochondrial proteins) that can potentially code for a protein, called respectively m-orf and f-orf. These genes are sex-specific in gametes, which brought the possibility that there is a link between the orfs and the maintenance of DUI or with sex determination in DUI species. Therefore, this project aims to have a better understanding of the potential functions of these proteins in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis. To demonstrate the proteins' existence, we did Western blot assays on gametic and somatic tissues from males and females, along with immunohistochemistry on cellular cultures of both sexes. To look for possible interaction partners, we did co-immunoprecipitation assays and pull-downs assays. Our results show expression of M-ORF in the male mantle only, more specifically in sperm mitochondria and acrosome. This is found only during the reproductive season of Mytilus edulis. However, F-ORF is expressed in all tissues all year in both sexes, in cells mitochondria. Both proteins have numerous possible interaction partners. Several are linked to sex-specific processes or to interactions with nucleic acids. Both M-ORF and F-ORF are expressed. Potential partners are multiple, and other assays have to be done to further ascertain these proteins' functions. However, the presence of M-ORF in acrosome is of great interest toward a potential function in DUI or in sex determination.