Ecologia e Fisiologia - Pôsteres - 28/11/2023 - 15:30 h às 16:30 h

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as phenanthrene (PHE), are the main crude oil components (achieving 98% of their composition). In the marine environment, ecological disasters with oil spills are the main external sources of PAHs and PHE. The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus is a protogynous hermaphrodite species of great economic importance and is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as a “vulnerable” species. Previous studies suggest that plasma androgen 11-Ketotestosterone was reduced in E. marginatus exposed to PHE, suggesting that this compound may cause changes in steroidogenesis. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of PHE on behavior/physiology by performing a 96h sublethal bioassay. Briefly, E. marginatus juveniles were divided into four treatments: 1) 0.1 mg/L of PHE; 2) 1 mg/L of PHE; 3) vehicle exposure (ethanol, 0.004%), and 4) control group (sea water). During the experimental exhibition, we recorded each fish tank for 1h at the following exposure times: 0, 6, 10, 24, 30, 34, 48, 54, 58, 72, 78, 82, and 95h for subsequent analysis of the behavior. After 96h of exposure, the animals were anesthetized, and blood was collected for plasma cortisol profile analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent. Then, the animals were euthanized and brain, muscle, liver and gill samples were collected for analysis of ACHE activity and lipoperoxidation. Preliminary behavior analyses indicated alters equilibrium in high PHE concentration. High mucus production was observed in the groups exposed to PHE and the dilution vehicle. Plasma cortisol profile was higher in animals exposed to PHE compared to control and vehicle groups. Thus, it is possible to observe that PHE influences the physiology of E. marginatus, mainly in the plasma cortisol profile, animal behavior and reproduction, suggesting that PHE is a behavior, endocrine, and reproductive disruptor in this species.