title: Altered transcription levels of endocrine associated genes in two fisheries species collected from the Great Barrier Reef catchment and lagoon.
abstract: The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is chronically exposed to agricultural run-off containing pesticides, many of which are known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Here, we measure mRNA transcript abundance of two EDC biomarkers in wild populations of barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus and Plectropomus maculatus). Transcription levels of liver vitellogenin (vtg) differed significantly in both species amongst sites with different exposures to agricultural run-off; brain aromatase (cyp19a1b) revealed some differences for barramundi only. Exposure to run-off from sugarcane that contains pesticides is a likely pathway given (i) significant associations between barramundi vtg transcription levels, catchment sugarcane land use, and river pesticide concentrations, and (ii) consistency between patterns of coral trout vtg transcription levels and pesticide distribution in the GBR lagoon. Given the potential consequences of such exposure for reproductive fitness and population dynamics, these results are cause for concern for the sustainability of fisheries resources downstream from agricultural land uses.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Atherton, Queensland 4883, Australia. Electronic address: F.Kroon@aims.gov.au.
authors.forename: Frederieke J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Kroon
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Land and Water, Kirrawee, New South Wales 2232, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hook
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Atherton, Queensland 4883, Australia.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Atherton, Queensland 4883, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Computational Informatics, Acton, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
authors.forename: Brent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and The Arts, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and The Arts, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael St J
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Warne
authors.affiliation: Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and The Arts, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Ryan D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Smithfield, Queensland 4870, Australia.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKeown
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Atherton, Queensland 4883, Australia.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Westcott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005398:Fisheries; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D045483:Rivers; D014337:Trout / Q000235:genetics*; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000235:genetics*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Aromatase; Barramundi; Coral trout; Endocrine disruption; Juvenile; Lates calcarifer; Pesticides; Plectropomus leopardus; Sequential hermaphrodite; Vitellogenin