Influence of preexposure to sublethal levels of copper on ⁶⁴Cu uptake and distribution among tissues of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

The effect of preexposure to copper was examined in European eels with respect to uptake and distribution of ⁶⁴Cu among tissues. Eels were exposed in freshwater to 8 and 64 μg Cu · L^-1 for 0, 6 and 28 days before ⁶⁴Cu incubation. The accumulation of copper in gill, liver and muscle tissue was studied by the uptake of ⁶⁴Cu during 67 hr of exposure to 8 and 64 μg · L^-1. The Cu accumulation rate in muscle tissue was inversely related to bodyweight. Although the accumulation rates in liver and muscle tissues were significantly reduced after 6 and 28 days of preexposure to 64 μg. L^-1 (but not to 8 μg · L^-1), the accumulation rates in the gills were not affected by preexposure. We suggest that the excretion rate of copper was stimulated by the applied preexposure to 64 μg Cu · L^-1.