Mixed Function Oxygenase Induction in Pre- and Post-Spawn Herring ( Clupea pallasi) by Petroleum Hydrocarbons

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. C, Comparative pharmacology and toxicology Vol. 116; no. 2; pp. 141 - 147
• Main Authors: Thomas, Robert E, Carls, Mark G, Rice, Stanley D, Shagrun, Lamia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.02.1997
• Subjects: Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase; Clupea harengus pallasi; cytochrome P-450; ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase; Marine; mixed function oxygenase; Pacific herring; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; pre-spawn; INE, USA, Alaska, Prince William Sound; Pacific herring; Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase; cytochrome P-450; ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase; mixed function oxygenase; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; pre-spawn
• ISSN: 0742-8413
• DOI: 10.1016/S0742-8413(96)00147-8

We compared the uptake of water-accommodated fractions of Alaska North Slope crude oil in pre- and post-spawn herring ( Clupea pallasi) and the resulting induction of mixed function oxygenase activity. Both groups of herring accumulated significant quantities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in muscle tissue. Pre-spawn herring accumulated higher concentrations of hydrocarbons and retained them longer. Induction of mixed function oxygenase activity in pre-spawn fish was one-third to one-half that in post-spawn fish. Inability of pre-spawn herring to induce mixed function oxygenases at as high a level as post-spawn fish may explain higher tissue concentrations and retention of hydrocarbons in the pre-spawn animals.