title: Reversibility of estrogenic sex changes in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
abstract: Development of male zebrafish (Danio rerio) courtship behavior was studied following estrogenic disruption of sexual differentiation. Sixty zebrafish were exposed at 28 degrees C to 5 ng/L (nominal concentration) of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) from the egg stage until adulthood at four months of age, resulting in a female-biased sex ratio. Twenty-five EE2-exposed phenotypic female zebrafish were subsequently held in clean water for eight months. During this period, eight phenotypic males developed. These phenotypic males demonstrated significant behavioral aberrations and a low fertilization rate compared to control males.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Zoophysiology, C.F. Moellers Allé 3, University of Aarhus, Building 1131, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mia G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Katrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bilberg
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baatrup
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol