Effects of alkylphenols on the reproductive system of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).
Produced water, a by-product of offshore oil production, contains significant amounts of alkylphenols (APs). Many studies have shown that APs cause endocrine disruption in marine organisms, but relatively little is currently known about their long-term effects on the biology of pelagic fish. Here, we describe in detail the effects of APs on the reproductive potential of first-time spawning Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Cod were fed with feed paste containing four APs (4-tert-butylphenol, 4-n-pentylphenol, 4-n-hexylphenol and 4-n-heptylphenol), at a range of concentrations, for either 1 or 5 weeks. AP-exposed fish were compared to unexposed fish and to fish fed paste containing natural estrogen (17beta-estradiol). Our results showed that in female fish AP exposure impaired oocyte development, reduced estrogen levels, and delayed the estimated time of spawning by 17-28 days. Similarly, in male fish, we observed that AP-exposure reduced 11-keto-testosterone concentrations, and caused a small induction of VTG levels. We also observed impaired testicular development, with an increase in the amount of spermatogonia and a reduction in the amount of spermatozoa present. Taken together these results suggest that APs released into the sea via produced water may have a negative influence on the overall reproductive fitness of cod populations.
Meier
Sonnich
S
Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes N-5817, Bergen, Norway. sonnich.meier@imr.no
Andersen
Tom Einar
TE
Norberg
Birgitta
B
Thorsen
Anders
A
Taranger
Geir Lasse
GL
Kjesbu
Olav Sigurd
OS
Dale
Roy
R
Morton
H Craig
HC
Klungsøyr
Jarle
J
Svardal
Asbjørn
A
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D048389:Gadus morhua / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D010636:Phenols; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; C003600:11-ketotestosterone