Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> Embryos
In recent years, nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub>-N) pollution in water bodies has been increasing due to the excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Exposure to NO<sub>3</sub>-N during the development of amphibian embryos may have lasting effects on the growth and development of...
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/6/961 |
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| author | Lei Xie Ziyi Niu Shimin Xiao Hongyuan Wang Yongpu Zhang |
| author_facet | Lei Xie Ziyi Niu Shimin Xiao Hongyuan Wang Yongpu Zhang |
| author_sort | Lei Xie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub>-N) pollution in water bodies has been increasing due to the excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Exposure to NO<sub>3</sub>-N during the development of amphibian embryos may have lasting effects on the growth and development of individuals and even threaten their survival, but the toxicity mechanism of NO<sub>3</sub>-N in amphibian embryos prior to thyroid morphogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> was selected as the model organism to investigate the toxic effects of 10 mg/L and 100 mg/L NO<sub>3</sub>-N exposure (N10 and N100) on amphibian embryos using methimazole (MMI) and exogenous thyroxine (T4) as the reference groups. We found that T4, MMI, N10 and N100 inhibited <i>B. gargarizans</i> embryo growth and development, with MMI and N100 showing the earliest and strongest effects. Transcriptome analysis revealed that MMI and NO<sub>3</sub>-N (especially N100) significantly downregulated genes related to thyroid morphogenesis and cholesterol metabolism, while upregulating genes related to inflammation and apoptosis. Together, these results contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms by which NO<sub>3</sub>-N disrupts <i>B. gargarizans</i> embryonic development, reveal the potential risks of NO<sub>3</sub>-N pollution to other aquatic organisms, and provide insights into the conservation of a broader ecosystem. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:37:21Z |
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| id | doaj.art-06d3252c68024740b6271b833beecb63 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:37:21Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-06d3252c68024740b6271b833beecb632024-03-27T13:17:58ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-03-0114696110.3390/ani14060961Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> EmbryosLei Xie0Ziyi Niu1Shimin Xiao2Hongyuan Wang3Yongpu Zhang4Life and Environmental Science College, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325003, ChinaCollege of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaLife and Environmental Science College, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325003, ChinaCollege of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaLife and Environmental Science College, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325003, ChinaIn recent years, nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub>-N) pollution in water bodies has been increasing due to the excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Exposure to NO<sub>3</sub>-N during the development of amphibian embryos may have lasting effects on the growth and development of individuals and even threaten their survival, but the toxicity mechanism of NO<sub>3</sub>-N in amphibian embryos prior to thyroid morphogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> was selected as the model organism to investigate the toxic effects of 10 mg/L and 100 mg/L NO<sub>3</sub>-N exposure (N10 and N100) on amphibian embryos using methimazole (MMI) and exogenous thyroxine (T4) as the reference groups. We found that T4, MMI, N10 and N100 inhibited <i>B. gargarizans</i> embryo growth and development, with MMI and N100 showing the earliest and strongest effects. Transcriptome analysis revealed that MMI and NO<sub>3</sub>-N (especially N100) significantly downregulated genes related to thyroid morphogenesis and cholesterol metabolism, while upregulating genes related to inflammation and apoptosis. Together, these results contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms by which NO<sub>3</sub>-N disrupts <i>B. gargarizans</i> embryonic development, reveal the potential risks of NO<sub>3</sub>-N pollution to other aquatic organisms, and provide insights into the conservation of a broader ecosystem.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/6/961nitrateanuranembryomorphological parameterstranscriptomics |
| spellingShingle | Lei Xie Ziyi Niu Shimin Xiao Hongyuan Wang Yongpu Zhang Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> Embryos Animals nitrate anuran embryo morphological parameters transcriptomics |
| title | Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> Embryos |
| title_full | Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> Embryos |
| title_fullStr | Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> Embryos |
| title_full_unstemmed | Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> Embryos |
| title_short | Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in <i>Bufo gargarizans</i> Embryos |
| title_sort | morphological and transcriptomic analyses reveal the toxicological mechanism and risk of nitrate exposure in i bufo gargarizans i embryos |
| topic | nitrate anuran embryo morphological parameters transcriptomics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/6/961 |
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