Page 733 - The Toxicology of Fishes

Biomarkers 713

-omic responses and, in turn, assist in distinguishing compensatory and adaptive responses from toxi-
cologically significant responses. As the -omic technologies themselves do not distinguish compensatory
and adaptive responses from causative events, the potential involvement of any gene, protein, or metab-
olite must be established by correlating the observed changes in -omic responses with physiological and
pathological endpoints.
Hematology and clinical chemistry as well as condition indices were discussed as physiological
biomarkers. Because the occurrence of pathologies can significantly modify the function of tissues and
organs, an evaluation of pathological biomarkers was presented. Use of histopathological techniques
permits the examination of specific target organs and cells as they are affected by either acute or chronic
effects of xenobiotics.
This chapter emphasized the significance of biochemical, physiological, and pathological responses
measured in individual organisms. These responses provide information concerning the exposure, effects,
and susceptibility of aquatic organisms in the context of environmental monitoring and the biomarker
approach. Much of the focus in aquatic toxicology is the elucidation of effects at biological levels of
organization higher than that of the individual. Nonetheless, there exists considerable value in the devel-
opment, implementation, and use of biomarkers due to the need for mechanistic evaluation of environ-
mental chemicals and in recognition of the role that biomarkers can play in ecological risk assessment.
It is hoped that with the advances made in proteomics and array technologies mechanism-based responses
can be identified that will enhance predictive capacity and diminish uncertainty in risk evaluations.

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