title: Plasma calcium as a surrogate measure for vitellogenin in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas).
abstract: Numerous reports have demonstrated the vitellogenic response of fish exposed to estrogenic compounds in the aquatic environment. A strong correlation has been shown to exist between plasma vitellogenin and plasma calcium concentrations in salmonid fish. This study examines the relationship between plasma vitellogenin and calcium in a cyprinid fish, the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), which is a species commonly used to monitor water quality. Plasma vitellogenin was determined after exposure of male and female fish to proprietary pharmaceutical estrogens using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed specifically for fathead minnows. Plasma calcium was determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA). This study demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) linear correlations between plasma vitellogenin and plasma calcium for males (r2 = 0.70), females (r2 = 0.83), and males and females combined (r2 = 0.06), showing that plasma calcium could be an indirect measure of vitellogenin present in fathead minnows. Some of the limitations and advantages identified through these studies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA. d.gillespie@ucc.ie
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Peyster
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D003530:Cyprinidae / Q000502:physiology*; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000032:analysis*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004967:Estrogens; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014873:Water Pollutants; D002118:Calcium