Effects of Benzo[a]pyrene on Food Metabolism and Reproductive Endocrine and Ovarian Development in Female Scallop Chlamys farreri at Different Reproductive Stages

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) with the most carcinogenic effects of all the PAHs, has multiple toxic effects on marine bivalves. We investigated the interference mechanism of B[a]P on food metabolism (sugars, proteins, and sugars), and on reproductive endocrine and ovarian development in female scallops (Chlamys farreri). Scallops were exposed to different concentrations of B[a]P concentrations of 0, 0.38, 3.8, and 38 mu g/L throughout gonadal development. Total cholesterol and triglyceride contents in the digestive glands were increased, and their synthesis genes were upregulated. The plasma glucose contents decreased with the inhibition of glycogen synthesis genes and the induction of glycolysis genes in the digestive gland. The results showed that B[a]P had endocrine-disrupting effects on scallops, that it negatively affected genes related to ovarian cell proliferation, sex differentiation, and egg development, and that it caused damage to ovarian tissue. Our findings supplement the information on B[a]P disruption in gonadal development of marine bivalves. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-14. (c) 2023 SETAC