Assessment of selenium toxicity on the life cycle of Caenorhabditis elegans
Journal
Ecotoxicology
Journal Volume
23
Journal Issue
7
Pages
1245-1253
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is a growing problem of global concern. Se can cause adverse effects on reproductive systems, which have been linked to declines in animal populations. The soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a ubiquitous soil organism that is increasingly utilized as a model organism in aquatic and soil toxicology. In the present study, the experimental data for individual body length, survival rate, brood size, and hatching rate were used to evaluate the possible effects of selenite [Se(IV)] on C. elegans. A stage-classified matrix model was applied to the experimental data to provide information on the population dynamics of C. elegans and to assess the Se(IV)-affected asymptotic population growth rate. Estimates of the survival probability showed significant decreases in survival at all stages when C. elegans was exposed to Se(IV). The growth probability of C. elegans in the L1 stage showed the most significant decline, from 0.11 h-1 (for the control) to 0.04 h-1 [for exposure to 3 mM Se(IV)]. These results showed that Se(IV) has a profound impact on C. elegans population dynamics. The asymptotic population growth rate (λ) was found to range from 1.00 to 0.64 h-1 for increasing Se(IV) concentrations, implying a potential risk of population decrease for C. elegans exposure to a Se(IV)-contaminated environment. Our study shows how a mechanistic view based on the Se(IV) effects on the soil nematode C. elegans can promote a life cycle toxicity assessment. An important implication of this analysis is that mathematical models can be used to produce a population stage structure, to give clarity to the analysis of the key population-level endpoint (the asymptotic population growth rate) of population dynamics, and to evaluate the influences for the response of other species to environmental Se. These models sequentially provide candidate environmental criteria for the evaluation of the population impact of Se. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media.
SDGs
Other Subjects
sodium selenite; selenium; soil pollutant; brood size; concentration (composition); growth rate; hatching; life cycle analysis; nematode; population decline; selenium; soil pollution; survival; toxicity; article; body height; Caenorhabditis elegans; controlled study; ecotoxicity; hatching; nematode life cycle stage; nonhuman; population dynamics; population growth; priority journal; survival rate; animal; Caenorhabditis elegans; drug effects; growth, development and aging; life cycle stage; soil pollutant; theoretical model; toxicity; Animalia; Caenorhabditis elegans; Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Life Cycle Stages; Models, Theoretical; Selenium; Soil Pollutants
Type
journal article