Chronic Reproduction Test with Gastropods (assigned to external lab)
Test organism
- New Zealand Spiresnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
Test principle
- In Europe, the New Zealand Spiresnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) reproduces through parthenogenesis and is viviparous.
- The reproduction rate of the animals is determined based on the number of offspring.
- An increased or decreased number of embryos can be determined by comparing the number of offspring in controls with that of exposed animals.
Analysed parameters (impact)
- Number of offspring (number of shelled and unshelled embryos in the brood pouch of adult animals) (reproduction toxicity)
- Mortality of parent animals
Test duration
- 28 days and/or 56 days
Relevance
- The reproduction rate is controlled by sexual hormones and influenced by endocrine substances.
- Generally toxic, androgenic and anti-estrogenic substances cause a decrease in the number of embryos.
- Estrogenic substances specifically cause an increase in the number of embryos.
Guidelines and literature
- No international standard available
- Duft M, Tillmann M, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Markert B, Oehlmann J (2002). Entwicklung eines Sedimentbiotests mit der Zwergdeckelschnecke Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia). Umweltwissenschaften und Schadstoff-Forschung 14: 12-17.