EARLY LIFE-STAGE EFFECTS IN MEDAKA (ORYZIAS-LATIPES) FOLLOWING IN OVOEXPOSURE TO POLYAMINE BIOSYNTHETIC INHIBITORS

Medaka, Oryzias latipes, were exposed in ovo to the polyamine (PA) bio synthesis inhibitors alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and methylgl yoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG). In an additional group, spermine, t he end product of the PA pathway, was added with DFMO and MGBG for a ' 'rescue'' treatment. At 4 days posthatch, length, DNA and RNA content, and swimming endurance were measured. The only parameter affected by treatment was swimming endurance which revealed decreased latent time to fatigue with increased dose, although not statistically significant . The rescue group, however, did demonstrate a statistically significa nt decrease in fatigue latency as compared to controls. (C) 1994 Acade mic Press, Inc.