Relationship between sex steroid and vitellogenin concentrations in flounder (Platichthys flesus) sampled from an estuary contaminated with estrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds.
High concentrations of vitellogenin (VTG; egg yolk protein) have previously been found in male flounder (Platichthys flesus) from several UK estuaries; these levels have been ascribed to the presence of estrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Gonadal abnormalities, including intersex, have also been recorded in these estuaries. However, there is no firm evidence to date that these two findings are causally linked or that the presence of estrogenic EDCs has any adverse population effects. In the present study, we examined the relationship between concentrations of VTG and sex steroids (11-oxo-testosterone in males and 17beta-estradiol in females) in specimens of flounder captured from the estuary of the River Mersey. We first questioned whether the high concentrations of VTG in male and immature female flounder were indeed caused by a direct effect of exogenous EDCs and not indirectly via the endogenous secretion of 17beta-estradiol. The data favored the direct involvement of estrogenic EDCs. We then questioned whether the presence of estrogenic EDCs not only stimulated inappropriate VTG synthesis but whether it might also have had a negative effect on endogenous steroid secretion. It should be noted that the predicted consequences of a drop in steroid secretion include smaller gonads, smaller oocytes, fewer numbers of sperm, and depressed spawning behavior. This question was more difficult to answer because of the strong effect of the seasonal reproductive cycle and stage of maturation on steroid concentrations. However, matched by month of capture and stage of maturation, both 17beta-estradiol in females and 11-keto-testosterone in males were in most cases significantly lower in those years when VTG concentrations were higher.
Scott
Alexander P
AP
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Weymouth, United Kingdom. A.P.Scott@cefas.co.uk
Katsiadaki
Ioanna
I
Kirby
Mark F
MF
Thain
John
J
D000818:Animals; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000139:chemically induced; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005432:Flounder / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical