Exposure of a facultative air breather, Hoplosternum littorale, to 12.5, 25
, and 37.5% of the water soluble fraction (WSF) of Urucu crude oil, resulte
d in a rapid increase in air-breathing frequency (ABF) sustained over the 4
5 min period of exposure. Following 4 h exposure to a graded increase in WS
F up to 50%, there was no significant affect on haematocrit, or plasma [Na] and [K+]. Crude oil ingestion resulted in some degree of ion regulatory i
mpairment, however results were variable. A single oral dose of 3.0 ml/kg o
f Urucu crude elevated net whole body Na+ efflux and resulted in a 7% reduc
tion in plasma [Na+] 72 h following ingestion, A single oral dose of 3.0 ml
:kg resulted in a significant net whole body K+ efflux and a reduction in p
lasma [K+] 24 h after ingestion. No mortalities were observed in any exposu
re regime in this study. An oral dose of Urucu crude oil at 3.0 ml/kg also
resulted in a 24% reduction in ATP:Hb ratio (from 0.206 to 0.157) and a 31%
reduction in GTP:Hb ratio (0.455 to 0.315) 24 h following ingestion indica
ting that these fish may be hypoxemic. Taken together, these results indica
te that exposure of H. littorale to Urucu crude oil affects gas exchange an
d ion regulation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.