Short-term exposure to a synthetic estrogen disrupts mating dynamics in a pipefish.
Sexual selection is responsible for the evolution of some of the most elaborate traits occurring in nature, many of which play a vital role in competition over access to mates and individual reproductive fitness. Because expression of these traits is typically regulated by sex-steroids there is a significant potential for their expression to be affected by the presence of certain pollutants, such as endocrine disrupting compounds. Endocrine disruptors have been shown to alter primary sexual traits and impact reproduction, but few studies have investigated how these compounds affect secondary sexual trait expression and how that may, in turn, impact mating dynamics. In this study we examine how short-term exposure to a synthetic estrogen impacts secondary sexual trait expression and mating dynamics in the Gulf pipefish, a species displaying sex-role reversal. Our results show that only 10days of exposure to 17α-ethinylestradiol results in adult male pipefish developing female-like secondary sexual traits. While these males are capable of reproduction, females discriminate against exposed males in mate choice trials. In natural populations, this type of discrimination would reduce male mating opportunities, thus potentially reducing their long-term reproductive success. Importantly, the effects of these compounds on mating dynamics and mating opportunity would not be observed using the current standard methods of assessing environmental contamination. However, disrupting these processes could have profound effects on the viability of exposed populations.
Partridge
Charlyn
C
Department of Biology, Texas A&M Univ., 3258 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA. partridge@pcg.wustl.edu
Boettcher
Anne
A
Jones
Adam G
AG
D000818:Animals; D004526:Efficiency; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000633:toxicity*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D005783:Gender Identity; D008297:Male; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol