The effect of PCBs on glycogen reserves in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica

Recent declines in Chesapeake Bay oyster populations have been attributed t o disease, and reduced water quality from pollution. The stress associated with pollutant exposure may reduce energy available for growth and reproduc tion. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are lipophilic contaminants that may potentially affect mobilization of lipid reserves, increasing reliance on glycogen stores, which could otherwise be utilized to supply energy for gam etogenesis. Thus, PCBs may indirectly affect glycogen stores in oysters in a deleterious manner. To test for this effect, reproductively inactive oyst ers were exposed to PCBs by feeding individuals 0.7 g of algal paste contai ning 0, 0.35, or 3.5 mug PCBs daily for 8 weeks. Additionally, a group of o ysters was exposed to PCBs (0, 0.35, and 3.5 mug) plus 0.3 g of non-toxic a rtificial sediment to examine interactive effects of sediment particles and PCBs. Adductor muscle, mantle, and gonadal tissues were analyzed for glyco gen content. Results suggest that glycogen content is reduced in the adduct or muscle with increasing PCB exposure, but there are no effects of PCBs in the mantle and gonadal tissues. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.