An integrated assessment of estrogenic contamination and feminization risk in fish in Taihu Lake, China.
An integrated approach, combining biological and chemical methods, was used to assess potential exposure to exogenous estrogens and their possible interference with the endocrine system of male goldfish (Carassius auratus) in Taihu Lake. A suite of biomarkers in caged fish after in situ exposure for 28 days, coupled with six selected exogenous estrogens in water, were determined at eight biomonitoring stations. The compounds estrone, 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol-A and diethylstilbestrol were detected in most of the samples and the concentrations of total estradiol equivalent (EEQ) ranged between 5.69 and 17.8 ng/L. E2 and EE2 were thought to be the major causal agents responsible for the estrogenic activities. Elevated serum vitellogenin and E2, gonadal DNA damage and reduced gonadosomatic index were observed in fish collected from most stations. The integrated biomarker response (IBR) index showed good agreement with the observed total EEQ levels in water, and feminization risk in fish may be present in northern Taihu Lake, especially in Meiliang Bay and Zhushan Bay.
Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development of Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
Zhenhua
Z
Yan
Guanghua
G
Lu
Jianchao
J
Liu
Shaoge
S
Jin
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002681:China; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D005262:Feminization / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006054:Goldfish / Q000502:physiology*; D006066:Gonads / Q000187:drug effects; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D004967:Estrogens; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical