Early life developmental effects induced by dioxins and PCBs in novel bioassays with C. elegans

Summary

This study assessed the effects of TCDD, two PCB mixtures (Clophen A50 and Aroclor 1254), and field extracts from marine sediments and swimming crab tissues on early-life development in Caenorhabditis elegans. Gravid nematodes were exposed on agar, and isolated eggs and larvae were tested in solution. Larval development was evaluated after 72 hours. Reporter gene assays (DR-CALUX) were also used to quantify dioxin-equivalent toxicity (TEQ). Exposure to 10 pM Clophen A50 and TCDD on agar inhibited L3–L4 transition by 60 % and 50 %, respectively. Liquid exposure to 5 µM Aroclor 1254 or TCDD (10 nM and 10 µM) delayed development by 20–40 %. Field extracts contained TEQ values of 0.67–4.91 ng/kg (0.2–1.47 pM TCDD), reducing L3–L4 development by 40–60 %. Both bioassays effectively assessed the toxicity of persistent organic pollutants in environmental samples. Agar exposure mimics realistic uptake, while liquid assays offer faster, high-throughput screening.