The influence of Astyanax altiparanae males co-exposure to calcium and the drug carbamazepine on seminal quality

Abstract

A wide variety of chemical pollutants are found in the aquatic ecosystem from anthropic actions, such as the incorrect disposal of medicines, in addition to the discharge of industrial and agricultural effluents. Among these pollutants, drugs stand out carbamazepine (CBZ), which is of interest in ecotoxicological studies, as it is present in water bodies in high concentrations, and is resistant to biodegradation. CBZ can interfere in the biology of aquatic organisms by altering various biological processes, especially gonadal steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, and thus interfering with sperm parameters, such as morphology, kinetics and causing oxidative stress in fish sperm. The physical and chemical characteristics of water added to the presence of pollutants can influence the toxicity of drugs to aquatic organisms, however this relationship is little studied. Calcium, for example, has a great influence on the physiology of organisms, but, in addition, it can modify the bioavailability and toxicity of pollutants. However, it is not understood whether the presence of calcium in the water interferes with the bioavailability of CBZ and whether the co-exposure between both can influence the sperm parameters of fish. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of different environmental concentrations of calcium and CBZ in the water, as well as co-exposure, on the seminal quality of Astyanax altiparanae. After exposure of the males to the combination of different environmental concentrations of calcium and CBZ, seminal quality parameters will be evaluated, such as pH, osmolality, sperm concentration, oxidative stress, sperm morphology and kinetics. In addition, calcium and CBZ concentrations in semen will be quantified.