Xenobiotics in Aquatic Animals : Reproductive and Developmental Impacts

This book summarizes the latest understanding of the impact of xenobiotics on the developmental and reproductive processes of aquatic animals, particularly nektonic forms, which comprise an important group of aquatic ecosystems.

Aquaculture is quickly becoming the largest contributor of fish protein for human consumption. As the aquaculture business expands, farmed fish will be exposed to more environmental toxins, necessitating the use of chemical therapeutic drugs for fish. This book brings together experts on the regulation of environmental toxins and food chemicals from around the world, as well as researchers looking into the metabolism and disposal of foreign chemicals (xenobiotics) in fish species. The impact of xenobiotics on reproductive and developmental biology of all living forms has become of prime importance at the current time. As the effect of these xenobiotics on aquatic animals is an emerging area for research and development, several groups across the world are working on these aspects, targeting different groups of fishes in both marine and freshwater ecosystems.

 This collective work highlights several key and updated recent aspects of different types of xenobiotics entering aquatic ecosystems, impacts of these agents on reproductive physiology, developmental biology, breeding biology, hormonal imbalance, aquatic ecology, and pollution on the aquatic ecosystem. The unique aggregation of different types of stressors to aquatic animals under a single volume will be a useful reference for readers, including scientists, teachers, students, researchers and policymakers and those involved in aquaculture and environment conservation.

Dr. Mohd Ashraf Rather works as an Assistant Professor cum Junior Scientist in the Division of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology at Faculty of Fisheries, Rangil, Ganderbal, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology―Kashmir. He graduated from College of Fisheries, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and obtained Masters and Doctoral degrees in Fisheries Biotechnology from Division of Genetics and Biotechnology, Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai. His area of research interest is Reproductive physiology and Molecular endocrinology of fish proteins. His major research contribution is the identification, characterization and expression profiling of more than 25 reproductive genes in fish including kisspeptin genes in Indian major carps. He has more than 8 year of experience of working on molecular endocrinology of fish.

Dr. Younis Ahmad Hajam holds a doctorate in Zoology from Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidayalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India. He is currently working as Assistant Professor in Department of Life Sciences and Allied Health Sciences, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Padhiana, Jalandhar,Punjab, India. Formerly Dr Younis Ahmad had worked as assistant Professor and Head Department of Zoology, Career Point University, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India. He is teaching under graduate and post graduate and doctorate students. Dr Younis Ahmad has published 33 research papers in leading national and international journals (such as Life Sciences, Impact factor 5.037 and Neuroendocrinology 4.96) and Toxicology Reports, 25 book chapters and four national proceedings. Dr Younis Ahmad has published 4 books as editor in Taylor and Francis etc.

Dr. Ankur Jamwal is an assistant professor at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru - India. Dr. Jamwal has over a decade of experience as an aquatic biologist and ecotoxicologist and has published over twenty research articles in international journals of repute. In addition to studying the effects of stress on the physiology of aquatic animals, Dr. Jamwal is also interested in the risk assessment of consumption of food cultivated using water that may be contaminated with toxic elements and compounds. He applies the concepts of aquatic physiology to developing sustainable aquaculture practices. Dr. Jamwal has received multiple awards, including the Best Fisheries Graduate of India - 2010, and ICAR International Fellow. He is a passionate speaker and loves to spread awareness on climate change and the conservation of aquatic ecosystems.