5. Conclusion
In summary, the present study reported that exposure of TBT
caused behavioral disorders, energy metabolic parameters modulations
and the regulations of ER stress related genes expressions.
In this study, there was no significant change in all parameters
measured in fish exposed to TBT at environmental concentration,
indicating the fish larvae has adaptive responses to environmental
stress. Based on the obtained data, the fish has enough tolerances
to TBT-induced changes in surrounding condition. With increasing
TBT concentration, the health status of fish was affected gradually.
Therefore, these biomarkers measured in this study could be used
as potential indicators for monitoring the effects of residual TBT on
fish. However, more laboratory studies should be performed before
applying these finding to field research.
Conflict of interest
There is no conflict of interest.
Transparency Document
The Transparency document associated with this article can be
found in the online version.
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
eif2ak3 atf4b1 ern1 xbp1
Fold change of expression level
Gene names
Control
E1
E2
E3
*
*
*
*
*
Fig. 3. Relative gene expression levels of eif2ak3, atf4b1, ern1 and xbp1 in Chinese rare minnow larvae exposed to TBT. The values (fold change) are presented as the
means ± S.D., n = 6. ⁄Indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) from the control.
-4.0
-3.0
-2.0
-1.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
-4.0 -3.0 -2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
Control
100 ng L-1
400 ng L-1
800 ng L-1
Factor 1: 49.84
Factor 2: 39.81
Fig. 4. Individual variations of biochemical and molecular parameters in Chinese
rare minnow larvae exposed to TBT by using PCA.