A Holistic Assessment of Polyethylene Fiber Ingestion in Larval and Juvenile Japanese Medaka Fish

• DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.668645
• Publication Date: 2021-08-04T07:35:19Z
• Authors: Elizabeth DiBona; Lee J. Pinnell; Annika Heising-Huang; Simon Geist; Jeffrey W. Turner; Frauke Seemann
• Keywords: Juvenile fish; Ichthyoplankton

Microplastic pollution is of public concern for global environmental health, aquaculture, and fisheries. Toxicity studies have shown that microplastic ingestion may cause intestinal damage, microbiota dysbiosis, disturb the lipid energy metabolism in fish. To determine impact environmentally relevant, chronic, low dose fibers on fish medaka larvae, juveniles were exposed to five concentrations polyethylene (PE) 21 days through feed. Fish growth condition assessed overall health. identify impaired intake, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) integrity was evaluated at molecular cellular levels. Microbiota analysis performed by comparing top seven most abundant phyla present both larval juvenile 0, 1.5, 3 PE fibers/fish/day. A shift Proteobacteria Bacteroidetes observed. Larval samples demonstrated decreased proteobacteria abundance, while displayed an increase abundance. Relative gene expression key digestive genes from GIT tissue quantified using real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. An effect potentially affecting nutrient absorption antioxidant production indicated via a significant decrease solute carrier family 6 member larvae No changes observed tissue, although non-monotonous dose-response morphology analyzed histomorphological observations mucus cell types. impairment epithelial layers or juveniles. assess condition, Fulton’s factor measured. differences growth. Comparisons different developmental stages allowed identifying vulnerable exposure; more susceptible changes, shifts microbial communities similar reported post-polystyrene sphere exposure. This study one first provide toxicological data risk fiber during development stages. Results indicate no imminent threat current measured levels microplastics; however, close monitoring vital spawning grounds commercially important fishes recommended.