Experiments to evaluate the impacts of acute exposure of PAHs on Gulf toadfish

This dataset reports fish weight, liver weight, hepatosomatic index (HSI), and pituitary weight of Gulf toadfish exposed to different Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations. The objectives of the experiments are to assess the impacts of Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil on the vertebrate stress response and the trajectory for recovery. Our research integrates molecular, cellular, gland/organ and whole animal physiological and behavioral studies using a benthic marine teleost, the Gulf toadfish, a resident of the Gulf of Mexico. These studies evaluates multiple pathways (e.g., pituitary fatigue, reduced receptor sensitivity, disruption or overstimulation of cortisol biosynthesis) and the consequence of these changes at the whole animal level (e.g., changes in carbohydrate metabolism, immune capacity, and responses to natural stresses such as predation and social interaction). In this series of experiments, the fish weight, liver weight, and pituitary weight are evaluated during short-term exposures to DWH oil. Each exposure is followed by a complementary recovery period (i.e., no oil or PAH exposure) to assess the recovery trajectory. Experiments are done at RSMAS, University of Miami, MTLSS Building Rm. 211, during 2018.