Environmental Toxicology

You have free access to this content

Oxidative stress response of Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) and Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) to mercury and selenium bioaccumulation in liver, kidney, and brain

  1. David J. Hoffman1,*,
  2. Collin A. Eagles-Smith2,
  3. Joshua T. Ackerman2,
  4. Terrence L. Adelsbach3,
  5. Katherine R. Stebbins1

Article first published online: 19 FEB 2011

DOI: 10.1002/etc.459

Issue

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Volume 30, Issue 4, pages 920–929, April 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Hoffman, D. J., Eagles-Smith, C. A., Ackerman, J. T., Adelsbach, T. L. and Stebbins, K. R. (2011), Oxidative stress response of Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) and Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) to mercury and selenium bioaccumulation in liver, kidney, and brain. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 30: 920–929. doi: 10.1002/etc.459

Author Information

  1. 1

    U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland

  2. 2

    U.S. Geological Survey, Davis, California

  3. 3

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, California

*U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 4 MAR 2011
  2. Article first published online: 19 FEB 2011
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 30 DEC 2010 07:27PM EST
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 1 NOV 2010
  5. Manuscript Revised: 9 AUG 2010
  6. Manuscript Received: 30 JUN 2010

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (750K)

Keywords:

  • Oxidative stress;
  • Terns;
  • Mercury;
  • San Francisco Bay;
  • Selenium

Abstract

Bioindicators of oxidative stress were examined in prebreeding and breeding adult and chick Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) and in prebreeding adult Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) in San Francisco Bay, California. Highest total mercury (THg) concentrations (mean ± standard error; µg/g dry wt) in liver (17.7 ± 1.7), kidney (20.5 ± 1.9), and brain (3.0 ± 0.3) occurred in breeding adult Forster's terns. The THg concentrations in liver were significantly correlated with hepatic depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH), increased oxidized glutathione (GSSG):GSH ratio, and decreased hepatic gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity in adults of both tern species. Prefledging Forster's tern chicks with one-fourth the hepatic THg concentration of breeding adults exhibited effects similar to adults. Total mercury–related renal GSSG increased in adults and chicks. In brains of prebreeding adults, THg was correlated with a small increase in glucose-6–phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) activity, suggestive of a compensatory response. Brain THg concentrations were highest in breeding adult Forster's terns and brain tissue exhibited increased lipid peroxidation as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, loss of protein bound thiols (PBSH), and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes, GSSG reductase (GSSGrd), and G-6-PDH. In brains of Forster's tern chicks there was a decrease in total reduced thiols and PBSH. Multiple indicator responses also pointed to greater oxidative stress in breeding Forster's terns relative to prebreeding terns, attributable to the physiological stress of reproduction. Some biondicators also were related to age and species, including thiol concentrations. Enzymes GGT, G-6-PDH, and GSSGred activities were related to species. Our results indicate that THg concentrations induced oxidative stress in terns, and suggest that histopathological, immunological, and behavioral effects may occur in terns as reported in other species. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:920–929. © 2010 SETAC

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (750K)