Meeting Abstract
17.2 Monday, Jan. 4 Effects of Alkylphenols on Lobster Molting and Metamorphosis LAUFER, H.*; CHEN, M.; BACLASKI, B.; STEWART, J.; BOBBITT, J.; JACOBS, M.; ZUO, Y.; JOHNSON, M.; ZHU, Z.; Uconn; Uconn; Uconn; Uconn; Uconn; Woods Hole Oceanographic; UMass; UConn; UMass laufer@uconn.edu
Alkylphenols, including bisphenol A, are extensively used in plastics, detergents, antioxidants and other industrial consumer products. They are released into the aquatic environment as a result of production, use and disposal. They are of concern to scientists and the public because of their toxicity and estrogenic endocrine disrupting activities in vertebrates and invertebrates. We have found a wide distribution as well as effects on lobster molting and larval development. Between 15-50% of lobsters in Long Island Sound were contaminated with at least l compound. Some have as many as 6 (up to1-2 μg/gm). The compounds are 2-t-butyl-4-(dimethylbenzyl)phenol (Comp. 1), 2,6-bis(t-butyl)-4-(dimethylbenzyl) phenol (Comp. 2), 2,4-bis-(dimethylbenzyl) phenol (Comp. 3), and 2,4-bis (t-butyl)-4-(dimethylbenzyl)-6-t-butylphenol (Comp.4), 4-cumylphenol and bisphenol A (BPA). Effects on molting in vitro using C14 tyrosine and C14 Comp. 3, revealed incorporation to be dependent on the enzyme phenoloxidase; unlabeled Comp. 3 competed more actively than tyrosine. Alkylphenols compete with tyrosine derivatives at molting which normally crosslink proteins, and function in shell hardening, making lobster shells weaker and more susceptible to invasion by microorganisms. Effects on larvae of less than 5 or 10ng/per day of Comp. 3 or BPA administered in food resulted in increased larval mortality (770 larvae, 71% controls vs. 22-29% experimentals). Treated survivors were intermediate juveniles at metamorphosis in significant numbers. In conclusion, alkylphenols are toxic endocrine disruptors interfering in metamorphosis. Alkylphenols have two mechanisms of action, interfering in shell hardening and larval metamorphosis, adversely affecting lobster health.
