In situ relationship between energy reserves and steroid hormone levels in Nereis diversicolor (O.F. Müller) from clean and contaminated sites.
The aim of this study was to investigate, in situ, the temporal effects of urban effluent discharge on energy reserves and steroid hormone levels in the intrasedimentary worm Nereis diversicolor. Results have shown no differences in energy reserves (glycogen, lipids) in organisms originating from a contaminated site (Oued Souss) and a comparatively clean site (Oualidia). Both sites are located on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. In contrast, steroid hormone (progesterone, testosterone, and 17beta-estradiol) levels were significantly decreased in animals from Oued Souss. The differences in the responses suggest that organisms from the polluted site have been exposed to endocrine disruptors.
Mouneyrac
C
C
Institut de Biologie et d'Ecologie Appliquée, CEREA, Université Catholique de l'Ouest, 44 rue Rabelais, 49008 Angers Cedex 01, France. catherine.mouneyrac@uco.fr
Pellerin
J
J
Moukrim
A
A
Ait Alla
A
A
Durou
C
C
Viault
N
N
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D009018:Morocco; D011077:Polychaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006003:Glycogen