MDA effects on morphophysiology and reproduction of Daphnia magna – preliminary data

Authors

  • A. M. Morão TOXRUN – Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
  • A. R. Carvalho TOXRUN – Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
  • C. Couto TOXRUN – Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • J. S. Carrola Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, CITAB, Vila Real, Portugal; Inov4Agro – Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production
  • P. Costa CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, University of Minho, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Portugal
  • B. Castro CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, University of Minho, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Portugal
  • M. E. Tiritan TOXRUN – Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal; Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cru-zeiros do Porto de Leixões, Matosinhos, Portugal
  • C. Ribeiro TOXRUN – Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2023.37

Keywords:

Poster

Abstract

Background: Psychoactive substances and their metabolites are considered emergent contaminants, raising environmental concerns due to the continuous input into aquatic ecosystems [1]. MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) is a pharmacologically active substance that represents the major metabolite of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA); MDA may be present in MDMA preparations or occur as an illegal psychoactive substance [2]. Considering the possible implementation of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy along with the increased recreational interest in MDA, the presence of MDA in aquatic ecosystems is expected to increase as well as its effects on non-target organisms, including invertebrates [1,3]. Since the ecotoxicological impact of MDA remains unknown, studying its toxic effects on an environmentally relevant organism is most important. Objective: This work aimed to assess the effects of possible MDA-induced toxicity on Daphnia magna through the evaluation of morphophysiological and reproductive endpoints. Methods: Neonates (<24 hours) were exposed to three concentrations of MDA (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/L) for 9 days. Exposures and control were performed with 5 replicates with 20 organisms each. On days 3 and 9, morphophysiological endpoints (body size, heart size and area, and heart rate) and reproductive endpoints (number of ovigerous daphnia and fertility) were determined. In parallel, a standard 21-d reproduction assay was conducted (MDA concentrations: 0, 0.10, 0.18, 0.32, 0.56, 1.00, 1.79 mg/L). Results: Morphophysiological endpoints increased with MDA concentration on the third and ninth day of exposure. An increase in the number of ovigerous daphnia and fecundity was found at 10 mg/L of MDA. In the 21-d assay, MDA caused a significant reduction in fecundity, body size and rate of increase from 0.18 mg/L upwards. Conclusions: Data are suggestive of some adverse influence of MDA on the analyzed endpoints. Nevertheless, other toxicity biomarkers should be evaluated to obtain insight on a mechanistic explanation for the observed effects.

References

1. Fontes MK, Maranho LA, Pereira CDS. Review on the occurrence and biological effects of illicit drugs in aquatic ecosystems. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2020, 27: 30998-31034.

2. Baggott MJ, Garrison KJ, Coyle JR, Galloway GP, Barnes AJ, Huestis MA, Mendelson JE. Effects of the Psychedelic Amphetamine MDA (3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine) in Healthy Volunteers. J Psychoactive Drugs, 2019, 51: 108-117.

3. Kolaczynska KE, Ducret P, Trachsel D, Hoener MC, Liechti ME, Luethi D. Pharmacological characteriza-tion of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) analogs and two amphetamine-based compounds: N,α-DEPEA and DPIA. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, 2022, 59: 9-22.

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Published

2023-04-21

How to Cite

Morão, A. M., Carvalho, A. R., Couto, C., Carrola, J. S., Costa, P., Castro, B., Tiritan, M. E., & Ribeiro, C. (2023). MDA effects on morphophysiology and reproduction of Daphnia magna – preliminary data. Scientific Letters, 1(Sup 1). https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2023.37

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