Integrated assessment of runoff from livestock farming operations: Analytical chemistry, in vitro bioassays, and in vivo fish exposures.
Animal waste from livestock farming operations can contain varying levels of natural and synthetic androgens and/or estrogens, which can contaminate surrounding waterways. In the present study, surface stream water was collected from 6 basins containing livestock farming operations. Aqueous concentrations of 12 hormones were determined via chemical analyses. Relative androgenic and estrogenic activity was measured using in vitro cell assays (MDA-kb2 and T47D-Kbluc assays, respectively). In parallel, 48-h static-renewal in vivo exposures were conducted to examine potential endocrine-disrupting effects in fathead minnows. Mature fish were exposed to surface water dilutions (0%, 25%, 50%, and 100%) and 10-ng/L of 17α-ethynylestradiol or 50-ng/L of 17β-trenbolone as positive controls. Hepatic expression of vitellogenin and estrogen receptor α mRNA, gonadal ex vivo testosterone and 17β-estradiol production, and plasma vitellogenin concentrations were examined. Potentially estrogenic and androgenic steroids were detected at low nanogram per liter concentrations. In vitro estrogenic activity was detected in all samples, whereas androgenic activity was detected in only 1 sample. In vivo exposures to the surface water had no significant dose-dependent effect on any of the biological endpoints, with the exception of increased male testosterone production in 1 exposure. The present study, which combines analytical chemistry measurements, in vitro bioassays, and in vivo fish exposures, highlights the integrated value and future use of a combination of techniques to obtain a comprehensive characterization of an environmental chemical mixture.
ORISE Research Participation Program, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota.
Jenna E
JE
Cavallin
Elizabeth J
EJ
Durhan
Nicola
N
Evans
Kathleen M
KM
Jensen
Michael D
MD
Kahl
Dana W
DW
Kolpin
Edward P
EP
Kolodziej
William T
WT
Foreman
Carlie A
CA
LaLone
Elizabeth A
EA
Makynen
Sara M
SM
Seidl
Linnea M
LM
Thomas
Daniel L
DL
Villeneuve
Matthew A
MA
Weberg
Vickie S
VS
Wilson
Gerald T
GT
Ankley
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D003530:Cyprinidae / Q000378:metabolism*; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000379:methods*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006066:Gonads / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D058751:Livestock; D008297:Male; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D008372:Manure; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013256:Steroids; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Complex mixture; Fathead minnow; Gene expression; Livestock operation; Steroid hormone