Assessment of toxic interactions between deltamethrin and copper on the fertility and developmental events in the Mediterranean sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus

Deltamethrin pesticide and copper have intensively been used in agriculture and industrial activities and can finally reach the marine ecosystem at high concentrations affecting the health of organisms. In this study, we assessed under laboratory conditions the toxic interactions between deltamethrin and copper and their effects on the fertility rate, cell mitotic division rate, and embryo developmental events of the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus). The exposure of sperm to increasing concentrations of deltamethrin (6.10−5 and 6.10−2 μg/L) and copper (50 and 100 μg/L) or to their mixture (6.10−5 μg/L of deltamethrin and 50 μg/L of CuSO4) caused a significant alteration on the fertilizing capability of spermatozoids. Concentration-dependent toxic effects on the early cleavage in P. lividus were observed in groups treated with copper, deltamethrin, and their mixture. The kinetics of early divisions was accelerated and the average size of pluteus larvae was decreased under pollutant treatments. Several developmental anomalies were identified in pluteus, including crossed skeletal tips at the hood apex, joined or atrophied arms, and alteration of general larva shape. In conclusion, the sea urchin represents a suitable and sensitive model for testing the toxicity and the effects of deltamethrin pesticide and copper in sea water. In addition, the sensitivity of various end points to studied contaminants, proved their utility in the infield biomonitoring studies.