Exposure to crude microcystins via intraperitoneal injection, but not oral gavage, causes hepatotoxicity in ducks

Abstract

Recently, large-scale cyanobacterial blooms have occurred in fishponds near the suburbs of Xinxiang City in China. The present study aimed to identify the cyanobacterial blooms in the fishpond and evaluate their toxicity on ducks via intraperitoneal injection or oral exposure (gavage) of crude microcystins obtained from the scum of cyanobacterial bloom. The results of the acute toxicity tests showed that intraperitoneal injection of crude microcystin solution caused hepatotoxicity in ducks and ducklings, but oral exposure failed to do so. This result confirms the observation of no duck intoxication by a natural way of oral exposure in the fishponds during the periods of blooms. In addition, subchronic exposure of microcystins by intraperitoneal injection significantly inhibited the growth of ducklings.

Keywords: Microcystis bloom, microcystins, duck, toxicity