Selenium accumulation and the effects on the liver of topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva exposed to dissolved inorganic selenium

Selenite(IV) and selenate(VI) are the major forms of Se in aquatic ecosystem. In this study, Pseudorasbora parva were exposed to 10, 200 and 1000 μg L−1 selenite and selenate for 28 days. Selenium accumulation, antioxidant enzyme levels, glutathione concentrations, lipid peroxidation and histology were evaluated in livers following exposure. Our results showed that Se(IV) and Se(VI) caused different accumulation patterns in the liver, with a more rapid accumulation of Se with Se(IV) treatment. Both Se species increased hepatic lipid peroxidation after 14 and 28 d (~ 30%). Among the antioxidants examined, the activity of SOD (except day 28) and the cellular levels of GSH were induced by 72-137% at lower concentrations, while the activity of GST was at least 24% lower than that of the control at 200 and 1000 μg L−1 for both Se species at all sampling points. Both forms of Se reduced the hepatosomatic index at 1000 μg L−1 after 28 d. In addition, marked histopathological alterations (10-31%) were observed in the liver of P. parva after exposure to both Se species, with higher frequency in the Se(IV) exposed fish. Liver local necrosis was observed only in the liver of fish exposed to 1000 μg L−1 of Se(IV) (~ 20%). Our results suggest that the ecological impacts of dissolved Se in this freshwater species may also contribute to overall toxicity.