Acute exposure to glufosinate-ammonium induces hepatopancreas toxicity in juvenile Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Glufosinate-ammonium (GLA) is a widely used organophosphorus herbicide, which poses a potential threat to non-target aquatic species. This study aimed to evaluate the toxic effects of acute exposure to GLA on the hepatopancreas of juvenile Eriocheir sinensis, and to preliminarily reveal the toxicity mechanism. The results showed that the 96h-LC50 of GLA on juvenile E. sinensis was 386.61 mg/L. The acute test showed that GLA exposure caused hepatopancreas histological lesions, DNA damage and a higher apoptosis rate. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum increased significantly and had a concentration-dependent effect. Moreover, GLA exposure resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde content, which subsequently activated the antioxidant system and detoxification system, and the related enzyme activities and gene expression levels were significantly increased. In addition, the RNA-Seq analysis showed that the toxic effects of GLA exposure on juvenile crabs may mainly involve physiological pathways such as energy metabolism, protein synthesis and nervous system function. This study highlights the hepatotoxic effects of GLA on aquatic crustaceans and preliminarily reveals the key pathways of action. The results of this study will helpful to provide new insights into the toxic effects and risk assessment of herbicides on non-target organisms.