RESUMO
This study evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) and waterborne copper (CuSO4) on the reproductive system of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Juvenile yellow catfish were exposed to 100 and 200 µg Cu/L Cu-NPs and 100 µg Cu/L CuSO4 for 42 days. The results showed clear reproductive defects in both female and male yellow catfish in the 200 µg Cu/L Cu-NPs and 100 µg Cu/L CuSO4 groups. Exposure to Cu-NPs or CuSO4 inhibited folliculogenesis and vitellogenesis in the ovaries, and spermatogenesis in the testes, accompanied by elevation of the apoptotic signal. Ultrastructural observations also revealed damaged organelles of gonadal cells in both testes and ovaries. Most of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis genes examined and serum sex steroid hormones tended to be downregulated after Cu exposure. Metabolomic analysis suggested that gonadal estradiol level is sensitive to Cu-NPs or CuSO4. The heat map of gonadal metabolomics suggested a similar effect of 200 µg Cu/L Cu-NPs and 100 µg Cu/L CuSO4 in both the ovaries and testes. Additionally, metabolomics data showed that the reproductive toxicity due to Cu-NPs and CuSO4 may occur via different metabolic pathways. Cu-NPs tend to dysregulate the metabolic pathways of sphingolipid and linoleic acid metabolism in the ovary and the biosynthesis of amino acids and pantothenate and CoA in the testis. Overall, these findings revealed the toxicological effects of Cu-NPs and CuSO4 on the HPG axis and gonadal metabolism in yellow catfish.
