The study investigated the transgenerational and epigenetic effects of hypoxia on marine medaka, a model marine fish. First-generation fish were split into two groups and for one month, were exposed to either normoxia (normal oxygen levels of 5.8 mg/L) or hypoxia (low oxygen levels of 1.5 mg/L). Embryos produced by the first generation were collected within one hour of fertilisation. Half were reared in hypoxia for two generations and half were returned to normoxia and kept for another two generations.

The results show that hypoxia caused two major distortions in ovarian development: follicle atresia (the breakdown of follicles due to cell death) and retarded oocyte development (a greater number of primary oocytes but fewer vitellogenic oocytes – those containing egg yolk), leading to a significant reduction in hatching success. Most importantly, impairment of ovarian development and reduction of hatching success were also found in the third generation of the transgenerational group though they had never been exposed to hypoxia. The observed reproductive impairment was further supported by epigenetic changes in the related genes.

Professor Wu explained that the results, coupled with findings in his earlier studies, indicate that hypoxia can disrupt sex hormones, resulting in birth defects and reproduction impairment in male fish over several generations, provide strong evidence that hypoxia can affect the sustainability of fish populations in their natural environment. He warned that it is crucial for policy makers and the general public to be aware of the impending effects of climate change, which will exacerbate the problem of hypoxia on aquatic ecosystems and fish populations, and call for corresponding strategies for fisheries management and conservation.