title: Effects of the environmental estrogenic contaminants bisphenol A and 17α-ethinyl estradiol on sexual development and adult behaviors in aquatic wildlife species.
abstract: Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including the mass-produced component of plastics, bisphenol A (BPA) are widely prevalent in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Many aquatic species, such as fish, amphibians, aquatic reptiles and mammals, are exposed daily to high concentrations of BPA and ethinyl estradiol (EE2), estrogen in birth control pills. In this review, we will predominantly focus on BPA and EE2, well-described estrogenic EDCs. First, the evidence that BPA and EE2 are detectable in almost all bodies of water will be discussed. We will consider how BPA affects sexual and neural development in these species, as these effects have been the best characterized across taxa. For instance, such chemicals have been in many cases reported to cause sex-reversal of males to females. Even if these chemicals do not overtly alter the gonadal sex, there are indications that several EDCs might demasculinize male-specific behaviors that are essential for attracting a mate. In so doing, these chemicals may reduce the likelihood that these males reproduce. If exposed males do reproduce, the concern is that they will then be passing on compromised genetic fitness to their offspring and transmitting potential transgenerational effects through their sperm epigenome. We will thus consider how diverse epigenetic changes might be a unifying mechanism of how BPA and EE2 disrupt several processes across species. Such changes might also serve as universal species diagnostic biomarkers of BPA and other EDCs exposure. Lastly, the evidence that estrogenic EDCs-induced effects in aquatic species might translate to humans will be considered.
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Columbia Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, MO 65201, USA.
authors.forename: Ramji K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Bhandari
authors.affiliation: Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Deem
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Westminster College, Fulton, MO 65251, USA; Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Dawn K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Holliday
authors.affiliation: Columbia Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, MO 65201, USA; Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Masters in Public Health Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Caitlin M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Jandegian
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kassotis
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.affiliation: Columbia Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, MO 65201, USA.
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Tillitt
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Frederick S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Vom Saal
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Genetics Area Program Faculty Member, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Electronic address: rosenfeldc@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Cheryl S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046468:Sexual Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004967:Estrogens; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D010636:Phenols; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
keywords: BPA; Cognition; EDCs; Endocrine disrupting compounds; Sexual differentiation