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Uptake, tissue distribution and metabolism of 14C-labelled tributyltin (TBT) in the dog-whelk, Nucella lapillus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

G. W. Bryan ,
D. A. Bright ,
L. G. Hummerstone  and
G. R. Burt
G. W. Bryan
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB.
D. A. Bright
Affiliation:
Environmental Sciences Group, Royal Roads Military College, MFO Victoria, British Columbia, VOS 1B0, Canada
L. G. Hummerstone
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB.
G. R. Burt
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB.
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Extract

A study of tributyltin (TBT) uptake, tissue distribution and breakdown in dog-whelks, Nucella lapillus, was carried out using 14C-labelled tributyltin chloride. The compound was introduced into animals by exposure to sea-water, from a diet of labelled mussels and by injection. Measurements of 14C were made on tissue extracts containing total 14C, TBT+DBT and TBT. Organs examined included digestive gland, kidney, mantle, foot, viscera, gonads and blood. Absorption of dissolved TBT occurred primarily via tissues associated with the mantle: autoradiographic evidence showed that of these the ctenidium (gill) and osphradium were probably most important. Of non-reproductive tissues, mantle displayed least evidence of TBT degradation whereas kidney and digestive gland contained lower proportions of 14C as TBT (~60%) than other tissues. By virtue of its more rapid response, initially at least, the kidney had a primary role in degrading dissolved TBT that reached the blood. Dog-whelks feeding on labelled Mytilus edulis absorbed organotins very efficiently via the digestive gland, which then played a major role in TBT breakdown. However, the capacity for degradation is not sufficient to prevent, TBT concentration factors of the order of 100,000 (dry tissue/water) being attained in N. lapillus. Autoradiography revealed surprisingly high grain-counts in nerves, which may be significant in view of evidence in the literature that neurohormones are intermediaries in the chain linking TBT with imposex.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 73 , Issue 4 , November 1993 , pp. 889 - 912
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1993

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