Effects of fluoride on primary cultured haemocytes from the marine gastropod Haliotis tuberculata

Abstract

As a consequence of human’s activities, fluoride concentration in many aquatic ecosystems is significantly increasing. Nevertheless, little is known about fluoride toxicity to aquatic life. In this study the effect of exposure to different concentrations of sodium fluoride (2, 10, 50, 250 and 1,250 μg mL−1) during 24 h on primary cultured haemocytes of the gastropod Haliotis tuberculata was realized. Results indicate no significant effect of NaF on cell viability, Lysosomal membrane stability, phagocytosis and ROS production at concentrations of 2, 10, 50 and 250 μg mL−1. Nevertheless, lysosomal membrane alterations, a decrease of phagocytosis and morphological changes of H. tuberculata haemocytes were observed at concentration of 1,250 μg mL−1 NaF suggesting a potential impact of NaF at high concentration in the environment.