Exposure of Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) to a sublethal water soluble fraction of South Louisiana Crude oil or to one of its components (naphthalene or 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene) results in various physiological changes. During a 24-hr exposure period, these toxic aromatic hydrocarbons cause a decrease in opercular breathing rate, dispersion of the pigment in the melanophores and a decrease in the mean dopamine level in fish brains. Ultraviolet spectrophotometric assays of water and tissue indicate bioconcentration and localization of the naphthalene compounds in the prosencephalon and myelencephalon after 24 hr of exposure. Pharmacological studies indicate that at least one of the naphthalene compounds' sites of toxic action is the storage granules containing dopamine. Speculations are presented concerning brain dopamine levels and breathing and color change mechanisms in teleosts. Mean levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brains of Gulf killifish are reported / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_26370 |
| Date | January 1980 |
| Contributors | Russell, Lisa Carolyn (Author) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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