Exposure & Effects Endpoints

 
05-byssalthread.jpg (21450 bytes) Counting byssal threads. It is important to recognize that these methods originated in the development of a laboratory test using the rate of byssal thread production to quantify effects.  During the development of this methodology, and with the help of supporting literature, it was determined that minimizing the size range also reduced the variability in byssal thread production.  This is also where the initial concept of compartmentalized cages was developed.  The first compartmentalized cages were used in laboratory test tanks to track the rate of byssal thread production in individual mussels.

Bioaccumulation and growth.  The two most important endpoints in the refined test methodology include bioaccumulation and growth.  Tissues removed for chemical analysis are also weighed as a growth endpoint.  Similarly, shells are measured for length and weighed.  The figure at the left also shows how mussels grow more rapidly even in the most contaminated sites when compared to growth under laboratory conditions.
 


28-lysozyme.jpg (20001 bytes)
 Extracting hemolymph 
from the adductor muscle for biomarker analysis.

 

29-cometassay.jpg (10895 bytes) Comet Assay used to detect DNA strand breaks.  The length of the tail and the number of tails are used to quantify the magnitude of the response.
Bivalve Biomarkers.   Any clinical measurements are possible on individuals and these measurements can be paired with others for use in a preponderance-of-evidence scenario.  The most exciting aspect of these measurements is the rapidly-increasing use of biomarkers, or biochemical changes that can be used to confirm exposure and perhaps even potentially adverse biological effects.  
 

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