In the context of increasing environmental contamination, our study employed fish as bioindicators, focusing on non-invasive cortisol measurements in scales and fins in response to severe PFAS pollution in the Veneto area of Italy. Our preliminary findings showed species-specific stress responses, as observed in Squalius cephalus and Padogobius bonelli, suggesting the need for broader biomonitoring to capture the complex impact of environmental stressors on aquatic organisms. Moreover, due to the unusual characteristics of the rivers selected for the biomonitoring activity, a possible link between PFAS exposure and cortisol levels in S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFish exhibit complex social behaviours that can influence their stress levels and well-being. However, little is known about the link between social interactions and stress in wild fish, especially in running water environments. While many studies have explored the stress axis in fish, most have focused on specific social contexts, leaving gaps in understanding stress responses to social changes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present study aimed to investigate the acute response of gilthead seabream () juveniles exposed to temperature, salinity and ammonia stress. Radioimmunoassay was used to evaluate cortisol levels, whereas insulin-like growth factors ( and ), myostatin (), heat-shock protein 70 () and glucocorticoid receptor () gene expression was assessed trough Real-Time PCR. The presence and localization of IGF-I and HSP70 were investigated by immunohistochemistry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to evaluate the histomorphology and the stress response in the bivalve Venerupis philippinarum sampled in four differently polluted sites of the Venice Lagoon (Palude del Monte, Marghera, Ca' Roman and Val di Brenta). This species is often used as bioindicator of environmental pollution since it can bioaccumulate a large variety of pollutants because of its filter feeding. Chemical analyses for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were performed on whole soft tissues of V.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBivalve molluscs, such as Venerupis philippinarum, are often used as bioindicators of environmental pollution since they can bioaccumulate a large variety of pollutants because of their filter feeding. The Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) is an important contaminant, commonly present in the marine environment. Pollutants are generally metabolized by enzymes of phase I, mainly CYPs enzymes, and by conjugation enzymes of phase II like GST.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF