Influence of heavy metals and 4-nonylphenol on reproductive function in fish.
Many industrial and agricultural chemicals (including heavy metals and alkylphenols) present in the environment have adverse effects on the reproductive function in fish. Three studies were conducted to assess toxicity of these chemicals towards reproduction of freshwater fish. It was shown that heavy metals added to the diets accumulate in brain tissue of carp, and this accumulation results in inhibition of the secretion of noradrenaline and stimulation of the secretion of dopamine in the hypothalamus. These processes results in a disturbance of hormonal equilibrium of the hypothalamo-pituitary system, which can unfavorably influence the efficiency of artificial spawning in fish. Quality of salmonid and sturgeon sperm was impaired after in vitro exposure to heavy metals. The degree of this toxic effect was species-specific. It was demonstrated that sperm motility parameters appeared to be good indicators of adverse effects of heavy metals fish sperm. The protection role of seminal plasma against toxic effects of heavy metals was suggested for salmonid fish. Oral application of 4-nonylphenol (NP) disrupted reproduction in pikeperch. In juvenile fish a decrease in the percentage of males and an increase of intersex fish was observed in relation to dose of NP and time of exposure to this alkylphenol. Exposure of adult males to the NP led to the reduction in fecundity, milt quality and fertility.
Popek
Włodzimierz
W
Department of Ichthyobiology and Fisheries, Agriculture University of Cracow, ul. Prof. Spiczakowa 6, 30-199 Kraków-Mydlniki, Poland. rzpopek@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Dietrich
Grzegorz
G
Glogowski
Jan
J
Demska-Zakeś
Krystyna
K
Drag-Kozak
Ewa
E
Sionkowski
Jan
J
Łuszczek-Trojan
Ewa
E
Epler
Piotr
P
Demianowicz
Wiesław
W
Sarosiek
Beata
B
Kowalski
Radosław
R
Jankun
Małgorzata
M
Zakeś
Zdzisław
Z
Król
Jarosław
J
Czerniak
Stanisław
S
Szczepkowski
Mirosław
M
D000818:Animals; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D005618:Fresh Water; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010636:Phenols; C041594:4-nonylphenol