Sub-lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak Alburnus alburnus: histopathological and molecular alterations

The widespread and uncontrolled application of neonicotinoid pesticides represents a major threat to freshwater ecosystems, especially those near agricultural lands and farms. Here, we determined for the first time the mean lethal concentration (LC50–96 h) of acetamiprid on bleak Alburnus alburnus j...

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Main Authors: R. Agaguena, N. Zaidi, E. Brunelli, A. Hamdani, R. Macirella
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:The European Zoological Journal
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24750263.2024.2434122
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author R. Agaguena
N. Zaidi
E. Brunelli
A. Hamdani
R. Macirella
author_facet R. Agaguena
N. Zaidi
E. Brunelli
A. Hamdani
R. Macirella
author_sort R. Agaguena
collection DOAJ
description The widespread and uncontrolled application of neonicotinoid pesticides represents a major threat to freshwater ecosystems, especially those near agricultural lands and farms. Here, we determined for the first time the mean lethal concentration (LC50–96 h) of acetamiprid on bleak Alburnus alburnus juveniles and investigated the effect on gills of two environmentally relevant concentrations after short-term exposure (96 h). After defining the LC50 value (34.546 mg/L), we evaluated the effects of two low concentrations (150 and 300 µg/L) through a histological examination and molecular evaluation of Na+/K+-ATPase expression in gills. No morphological alterations were observed in the control group. Severe structural modifications were observed in samples exposed to both tested concentrations, including hyperplasia and hypertrophy of chloride cells, epithelial detachment and aneurysm formation, which are recognised as a common and early response of freshwater gills to chemical insults. Exposure to the highest tested concentration induced more severe damage, with the appearance of necrotic pavement cells and degeneration of pillar cells. Na+/K+-ATPase downregulation was observed following the exposure to both tested concentrations. Our results highlight the importance of expanding the panel of ecotoxicological tests required to approve agrochemical compounds and using different diagnostic tools for an in-depth examination of xenobiotic toxicity.
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spelling doaj-art-0b08d4778c744268b7e4b397dd1c38082025-01-08T17:04:20ZengTaylor & Francis GroupThe European Zoological Journal2475-02632025-12-01921617310.1080/24750263.2024.2434122Sub-lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak Alburnus alburnus: histopathological and molecular alterationsR. Agaguena0N. Zaidi1E. Brunelli2A. Hamdani3R. Macirella4Laboratory of the Optimization of Agricultural Production in Subhumid Areas, Faculty of Sciences, University of Skikda, Skikda, AlgeriaLaboratory of the Optimization of Agricultural Production in Subhumid Areas, Faculty of Sciences, University of Skikda, Skikda, AlgeriaDepartment of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Rende, Cosenza, ItalyLaboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Badji Mokhtar of Annaba, Annaba, AlgeriaDepartment of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Rende, Cosenza, ItalyThe widespread and uncontrolled application of neonicotinoid pesticides represents a major threat to freshwater ecosystems, especially those near agricultural lands and farms. Here, we determined for the first time the mean lethal concentration (LC50–96 h) of acetamiprid on bleak Alburnus alburnus juveniles and investigated the effect on gills of two environmentally relevant concentrations after short-term exposure (96 h). After defining the LC50 value (34.546 mg/L), we evaluated the effects of two low concentrations (150 and 300 µg/L) through a histological examination and molecular evaluation of Na+/K+-ATPase expression in gills. No morphological alterations were observed in the control group. Severe structural modifications were observed in samples exposed to both tested concentrations, including hyperplasia and hypertrophy of chloride cells, epithelial detachment and aneurysm formation, which are recognised as a common and early response of freshwater gills to chemical insults. Exposure to the highest tested concentration induced more severe damage, with the appearance of necrotic pavement cells and degeneration of pillar cells. Na+/K+-ATPase downregulation was observed following the exposure to both tested concentrations. Our results highlight the importance of expanding the panel of ecotoxicological tests required to approve agrochemical compounds and using different diagnostic tools for an in-depth examination of xenobiotic toxicity.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24750263.2024.2434122GillspesticidesLC50histopathologyNa+/K+-ATPase
spellingShingle R. Agaguena
N. Zaidi
E. Brunelli
A. Hamdani
R. Macirella
Sub-lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak Alburnus alburnus: histopathological and molecular alterations
The European Zoological Journal
Gills
pesticides
LC50
histopathology
Na+/K+-ATPase
title Sub-lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak Alburnus alburnus: histopathological and molecular alterations
title_full Sub-lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak Alburnus alburnus: histopathological and molecular alterations
title_fullStr Sub-lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak Alburnus alburnus: histopathological and molecular alterations
title_full_unstemmed Sub-lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak Alburnus alburnus: histopathological and molecular alterations
title_short Sub-lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak Alburnus alburnus: histopathological and molecular alterations
title_sort sub lethal effects of acetamiprid on the gills of the bleak alburnus alburnus histopathological and molecular alterations
topic Gills
pesticides
LC50
histopathology
Na+/K+-ATPase
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24750263.2024.2434122
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