Inorganic mercury effects on biomarker gene expressions of a freshwater amphipod at two temperatures

Mercury (Hg) is a global contaminant resulting of both natural processes and human activities. In aquatic environments, studies conducted on vertebrates highlighted changes gene expression or activity antitoxic oxidative enzymes. However, although Hg highly toxic compound in only few have evaluated the lethal sublethal effects inorganic Gammarus sp. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating (HgCl2) 17 genes involved crucial biological functions mechanisms for organisms, namely respiration, osmoregulation, apoptosis, immune endocrine system, antioxidative defence systems. The was performed males freshwater amphipod pulex exposed to two environmentally relevant concentrations (50 500 ng/L) temperature regime fluctuations (16 °C 20 +/?2 °C) 7 21 days. Results showed that G. mortality dependent concentration temperature; higher temperature, rate. addition, Integrated Biomarker Response emphasized HgCl2 toxicity concentration, time exposure. Overall, antioxidant defences, as well systems, were most impacted by exposure (based duration, tested). Conversely, osmoregulation least affected function. results also demonstrated possible adaptation after days ng/L, regardless temperature. This allowed us show deregulates many short exposure, but during long an phenomenon could occur,