Crude Oil Exposure During Gametogenesis in the Batch-Spawning Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua): Effects on Gametes and Maternally Exposed Offspring Development

Crude oil and its water-soluble fractions (WSF) are highly toxic to early life stages of fishes, while exposed adults are often considered more resilient. However, research suggests that parental exposure can result in toxic effects in subsequent generations. This study investigated the impact of a crude oil WSF on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) broodstock and the subsequent maternal effects on their offspring. Mature Atlantic cod at late gametogenesis were exposed for 20 days to either a crude oil WSF or to control conditions. Over the following month, fish from both groups were repeatedly strip-spawned, and egg batches were fertilized in vitro using pooled sperm from control males. Maternally exposed offspring had accumulated levels of petroleum-derived aromatic hydrocarbons, including monoaromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, the profile of accumulated compounds was skewed towards lower-molecular weight compounds compared to the exposure water. Crude oil WSF exposure appeared to accelerate spawning readiness in females, resulting in smaller egg diameters in strip-spawned eggs. Additionally, sperm from oil-exposed males showed reduced curvilinear velocity and linearity. Despite these impacts, no significant differences in larval malformations or cardiac activity were observed. Our findings highlight the importance of advancing our understanding of intergenerational impacts of crude oil contamination on key fish species to accurately assess the long-term ecological consequences of petroleum pollution.