Molecular responce of Atlantic cod's (Gadus morhua L.) cypia, prolactin and Zona radiata genes upon exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls

• Published in: Journal of Science and Technology (Ghana)
• Main Authors: Addo, M G, Akanwariwiak, W G, Male, R
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) 2007
• Subjects: Cytochrome P4501A; Biomarker; Gene expression; atlantic cod; Gadus morhua
• Online Access: http://www.ajol.info/index.php/just/article/view/33038; https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v27i2.33038

A molecular response study was conducted to determine whether Polychlorinated Biphenyl or PCB (Clophen A40) had an effect on the induction of the zona radiata, prolactin and cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) mRNAs in matured Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). A total of 127 fishes were maintained under natural photoperiod in tanks and fed with wet pellets containing Clophen A40. RNA samples were taken from the gonads, pituitary and the liver from day 0, 48 and 105 after sacrificing the fish and stored at -20OC prior to analysis. Analysis of gene induction by Northern hybridization assay showed the induction of prolactin and CYP1A in the pituitary and the liver tissues respectively after PCB treatment. The induction was found to be sex, age and seasonal specific. Males had greater gene expression than the females. There was however, no observed differences between the controlled and exposed fishes in terms of zona radiata gene expression. Although the picture is far from complete, the findings demonstrate the potential of using gene induction as a biomarker of aquatic pollution.Keywords: Cytochrome P4501A, Biomarker, Gene expression