Abstract
In ecotoxicology, evaluation of toxicities and no observed effect concentrations (NOEC) of test compounds in experimental fish is commonly based on molecular-, biochemical- and analytical chemistry analyses of organ/tissue samples and the assessment of (histo-) pathological lesions. Standardization of organ/tissue sampling locations, sample numbers, and sample processing contributes to warrant the reproducibility and inter- and intra-study comparability of analysis results. The present article provides the first comprehensive tissue sampling guidelines specifically adapted to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a frequently used fish species in ecotoxicological studies. A broad spectrum of ~40 different organs and tissues is covered. Appropriate sampling locations, sample sizes and sample numbers for subsequent routine histopathological evaluation (all organs/tissue) and for molecular analyses (~30 organs/tissues) are described in detail and illustrated with schematic drawings and representative macroscopic and histological images. These field-proven sampling guidelines were developed based on the pertinent literature and practical experience in ecotoxicological fish studies. They are intended to serve as a standard reference for any routine ecotoxicological study using rainbow trout as a test system. A broad application of the featured tissue sampling procedures will help to improve the reproducibility of analyses and to reduce inter- and intra-study variability induced by sampling bias and (normal) inter-sample morphological variation, and will therefore provide a robust basis for reliable characterization of toxicity and NOEC identification of diverse test substances and aquatic pollutants.