Effects of field metal contamination on sperm motility and RNA/DNA ratio in two echinoderm species = Efeito da acumulação de metais pesados na motilidade do esperma e no índice ARN/ADN de populações de duas espécies de equinodermes
dos Ramos Catarino, A.I. (2006). Effects of field metal contamination on sperm motility and RNA/DNA ratio in two echinoderm species = Efeito da acumulação de metais pesados na motilidade do esperma e no índice ARN/ADN de populações de duas espécies de equinodermes. MA Thesis. Universidade de Évora: Lisboa. 13 pp. https://hdl.handle.net/10174/16151
This study aimed to assess the effects of field metal contamination on sperm motility and RNA/DNA ratio in two populations of echinoderms; Asterias rubens and Echinus acutus. These species occur naturally along a contamination gradient of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc, in a Norwegian Fjord (Sørfjord). Sperm motility was quantified with the help of a computer assisted sperm analysis system (CASA). The RNA/DNA ratios were assessed based on a l-dye, (Ethidium bromide)/l-enzyme (RNase) 96-well microplate fluorometric assay. Although both species appeared to readily accumulate metals, neither sperm motility parameters in A. rubens nor RNA/DNA in the body wall of both species were affected. The RNA/DNA ratios in A. rubens pyloric caeca were significantly higher in the most contaminated station. Even thought this fjord is considered a highly contaminated place, these populations seem to tolerate these metal contamination levels.
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