Metallothionein levels of carps in the river of Yamanashi Prefecture

The metallothionein levels of the carps in the river of Yamanashi Prefecture were measured as an environmental pollution biomarker. The carps(n=70)were caught in 4 places during 1999~2001. Concentrations of metallothionein and heavy metals(Cd, Hg, Zn, Cu, V, Mn)in the hepatopancreas were measured. The mean value of metallothionein level of the carp captured in the each sampling station could not recognize the difference. However, it was shown that the metallothionein had been induced in the part of the carp. In addition, positive correlation between metallothionein level and Cu level in the hepatopancreas was recognized.(r=0.80, p<0.001).As a result of the metal analysis of the metallothionein using HPLC/ICP-MS, the Cu has mainly combined with the metallothionein. These results show that the metallothionein of carp in the river of Yamanashi Prefecture was induced by Cu.