Development of quantitative real-time PCR assays for fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) gonadotropin beta subunit mRNAs to support endocrine disruptor research.
Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) are a widely-used small fish model for regulatory ecotoxicology testing and research related to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Quantitative real-time PCR assays for measuring fathead minnow gonadotropin (GtH) beta subunit transcripts were developed and "baseline" transcript levels in pituitary tissue were examined over a range of age classes and spawning states. Among females, GtHbeta transcripts did not vary significantly with gonadal-somatic index or gonad stage. However, in males, follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit transcripts decreased significantly with increasing gonad stage, while mean luteinizing hormone beta subunit expression trended in the opposite direction. GtHbeta transcript levels measured in pituitaries from fish that had spawned within the preceding 24 h were not significantly different from those from fish that were 2-3 days post-spawn. Exposure to the fungicide ketoconazole, a known steroidogenesis inhibitor, for 21 days significantly affected the abundance of GtHbeta transcripts in pituitary tissue in males, but not females. This study provides critical data needed to design and interpret effective experiments for studying direct and indirect effects of EDCs on GtH subunit mRNA expression. Results of such experiments should facilitate a greater understanding of integrated system-wide responses of the fathead minnow brain-pituitary-gonadal axis to stressors including EDCs.
Villeneuve
Daniel L
DL
United States Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, NHEERL, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55803, USA. villeneuve.dan@epa.gov
Miracle
Ann L
AL
Jensen
Kathleen M
KM
Degitz
Sigmund J
SJ
Kahl
Michael D
MD
Korte
Joseph J
JJ
Greene
Katie J
KJ
Blake
Lindsey S
LS
Linnum
Ann L
AL
Ankley
Gerald T
GT
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D001681:Biological Assay; D003530:Cyprinidae / Q000502:physiology; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000633:toxicity*; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000254:growth & development; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012106:Research; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014819:Vitellogenins; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007654:Ketoconazole