Waterborne and dietary hexavalent chromium exposure causes DNA-protein crosslink (DPX) formation in erythrocytes of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Formation of DNA-protein crosslinks (DPXs) was demonstrated in erythrocytes from fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exposed to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], a known carcinogenic and mutagenic metal contaminant of many industrial waterways. Tank water exposure of 2-3 in. fathead minnows to 2 ppm Cr(VI) led to significant DPX formation in erythrocytes, with over 140-200% elevations above background levels at 3-4 days, respectively. Largemouth bass exposed similarly were found to have 62% elevation of DPX levels after 4 days. When largemouth bass were fed a diet of minnows injected with 20 microg Cr(VI) for 5 days, a significant (p<0.01) increase of DPXs in erythrocytes was observed, with 80% elevation above erythrocytes from bass fed minnows injected only with saline. However, when largemouth bass were fed a diet exclusively of minnows exposed to 2 ppm Cr(VI) for 21 days, there was no significant difference in DPX levels compared to bass fed control (unexposed) minnows. This study provides evidence that DPX formation occurs in erythrocytes of fathead minnows exposed under controlled conditions to low ppm Cr(VI) concentrations, which is at or below concentrations previously assigned no observable effect levels. Furthermore, it appears that both waterborne and high dose dietary exposure to Cr(VI) can lead to DPX formation in erythrocytes of predatory fish species such as bass. However, it is unlikely that a bioconcentration of chromium in the food chain would be a major concern at these low ppm levels of exposure. Further, it may be difficult to achieve dietary Cr(VI) levels high enough to elicit DPXs in predatory fish under most environmental exposure scenarios.