Cytogenetic and developmental toxicity of cerium and lanthanum to sea urchin embryos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of two rare earth elements (REE), cerium and lanthanum on sea urchin embryos and sperm. Sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) embryos were reared for 72 h in Ce(IV)- or La(III)-contaminated seawater at concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M. Cleaving embryos (5h post-fertilization) were submitted to cytogenetic analysis, scoring mitotic activity and a set of mitotic aberrations. Embryological analysis was carried out to determine percent developmental anomalies and/or embryonic mortality. P. lividus sperm were suspended in Ce(IV) or La(III) (10(-8)-10(-5)M) for 1h, and percent fertilized eggs were scored in cleaving embryos that were cultured up to pluteus stage to score any developmental defects. Embryos reared in 10(-5)M Ce(IV) resulted in 100% embryonic mortality, whereas 10(-5)M La(III) induced 100% developmental defects, without causing any embryonic mortality. A significant concentration-related mitotoxic effect and induction of mitotic aberrations were observed in Ce(IV)-exposed, but not in La(III)-exposed embryos, at concentrations ranging from 10(-7)M to 3 x 10(-6)M. Following sperm exposure, both Ce(IV) and La(III) induced a decrease in sperm fertilization success at the highest tested concentration (10(-5)M). The offspring of Ce(IV)-exposed, but not of La(III)-exposed sperm displayed a significant concentration-related increase in developmental defects. The results may suggest adverse impacts in REE-exposed biota and warrant further studies of a more extended REE series.