title: Developmental exposure to the organophosphorus flame retardant tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate: estrogenic activity, endocrine disruption and reproductive effects on zebrafish.
abstract: Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) is an organophosphate flame retardant that is detectable in the environment and biota, prompting concern over its risk to wildlife and human health. Our objective was to investigate whether long-term exposure to low concentrations of TDCPP can affect fish reproduction. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to low concentrations (0, 4, 20 and 100μg/L) of TDCPP from 2h post-fertilization until sexual maturation. Exposure to TDCPP significantly increased plasma estradiol and testosterone levels in females, but had no effect in males. TDCPP exposure also caused a significant reduction in fecundity as indicated by decreased egg production. Real-time PCR was performed to examine selected genes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and liver. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that sex hormone levels and fecundity were related to the mRNA level of several genes in the HPG axis. Furthermore, hepatic vitellogenin (vtg1 and vtg3) expression was upregulated in both females and males, suggesting TDCPP has estrogenic activity. Histological examination revealed promotion of oocyte maturation in the females, but retardation of spermiation in males. Reduced egg quality (e.g., egg diameter) and increased malformation rates were observed in the F1 generation. Chemical analysis showed significant levels of TDCPP and its metabolite bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate in the gonads of males and females. In conclusion, long-term exposure to low concentrations of TDCPP impairs fish reproduction.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
authors: Qiangwei
authors: Q
authors: Wang
authors: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: James C W
authors: JC
authors: Lam
authors: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Han
authors: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors: Xianfeng
authors: X
authors: Wang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors: Yongyong
authors: Y
authors: Guo
authors: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: Paul K S
authors: PK
authors: Lam
authors: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China. Electronic address: bszhou@ihb.ac.cn.
authors: Bingsheng
authors: B
authors: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006066:Gonads / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000633:toxicity*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D005411:Flame Retardants; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D010755:Organophosphates; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C012085:tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate
keywords: Bioconcentration; Endocrine disruption; Organophosphate flame retardant; Reproduction; Steroid hormone; TDCPP; Zebrafish