Estrogenic effects in crucian carp (Carassius carassius) exposed to treated sewage effluent.
To assess the estrogenicity of a municipal sewage treatment plant, sexually mature crucian carp of both sexes were exposed for 28 days to domestic treated sewage effluent running with a constant flow of water, with tap water and with different concentrations of the sewage effluent (25%, 50% and 100%). Vitellogenin (VTG), gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and histological abnormalities were used to assess the estrogenic potency of the effluent. Results show a significant (P<0.05) increase in VTG levels in all exposed male fish. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in the GSI was only observed in fish exposed to 100% effluent. Morphological changes were detected by histological evaluation, revealing severe effects on the testes. Spermatogenesis was progressively reduced to total inhibition in fish exposed to 100% effluent. One of the most pronounced effects detected was the presence of oocytes in male gonads, observed in 20% of males exposed to 100% sewage effluent.
Diniz
M S
MS
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Dep. de Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, 2825 Monte da Caparica, Portugal. mesd@fct.unl.pt
Peres
I
I
Magalhães-Antoine
I
I
Falla
J
J
Pihan
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D002347:Carps; D004967:Estrogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011174:Portugal; D012722:Sewage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D004967:Estrogens; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012722:Sewage; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical