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Influence of salinity and cadmium on capsule strength in Pacific herring eggs

Abstract

Eggs of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) were incubated at 5°C in salinities of 5, 20, and 35‰, and in cadmium concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 ppm (20‰ S). Bursting pressures of eggs in the eight groups were measured throughout incubation. In general, bursting pressures rose to a primary maximum after fertilization, declined, rose to a secondary maximum, then declined again toward hatching. Rate of attainment of the primary maximum was related to salinity of the incubation medium. Bursting pressures at the primary and secondary maxima reached final values of about 1300 and 700 g, respectively, in incubation salinities at and above 20‰. Corresponding egg volumes were greatest in low salinities (5‰) and near minimum values in salinities of 20‰ or greater (35‰). Cadmium in the incubation medium delayed attainment of primary maximum bursting pressures and primary and secondary maxima were reduced to 200–350 g at Cd concentrations near 1 ppm. Egg volumes also decreased with increased Cd concentration. It appears that Ca++/Cd++ ratios, depending on salinity and Cd levels in the incubation medium, influence the properties of both the jelly coat and the capsule of herring eggs. Changes in the properties of these layers could make the eggs more susceptible to mechanical damage, particularly at combinations of higher (1 ppm) Cd concentration and lower (20 ‰) salinities.

Zusammenfassung

Die Druckfestigkeit von Heringseiern erreicht nach der Befruchtung rasch erstes Maximum, fällt dann leicht ab und steigt gegen Ende der Inkubationszeit erneut an. Kurz vor dem Schlupf sinkt die Druckfestigkeit erheblich. Hohe Salzgehalte beschleunigen das Erreichen des ersten Maximums (20–35‰ S; 1300 g). In 20‰ S tritt es 40 h nach der Befruchtung ein, während es in 35‰ S schon nach 20–35 h beobachtet werden kann. In geringen Salzgehalten (5‰ S) tritt das erste Maximum verzögert ein (60 h) und liegt bei mittleren Werten von nur 175 g. Eidurchmesser und Eivolumen waren am größten in 5‰ S und lagen bei 20 und 23‰ S nahe den beobachteten Minima. Die Aushärtung der äußeren, klebrigen Eihülle war in geringen Salzgehalten verzögert. Auch die Inkubationszeit war durch den Salzgehalt beeinflußt. Sie war am längsten in 20‰ S (690–700 h) und am kürzesten in 35‰ S (545–570 h). Die Exposition der Heringseier gegenüber Cadmium veränderte alle beobachteten Parameter. In Abhängigkeit von der Cadmium-Konzentration verzögerte sich das Auftreten des ersten Druckfestigkeitsmaximums. Dieses war gleichzeitig erheblich kleiner: 200–350g (1 ppm Cd) gegenüber 1300 g in den Kontrollen. Auch die Eivolumina nehmen mit steigender Cadmium-Konzentration ab.

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Prepared under the auspices of the German-Canadian Scientific and Technical Cooperation Agreement (Contribution No. 16).

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Alderdice, D.F., Rosenthal, H. & Velsen, F.P.J. Influence of salinity and cadmium on capsule strength in Pacific herring eggs. Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters 32, 149–162 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02189894

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