title: Effects of tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate exposure on endocrine systems and reproduction of zebrafish (Danio rerio).
abstract: Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEOP), a widely used organophosphate flame retardant, has frequently been detected both in the environment and the biota. However, limited information is available on the effects of TBEOP on the endocrine system and its underlying mechanisms. We exposed adult zebrafish pairs to TBEOP at concentrations of 0, 2.1, 11, and 118 μg/L for 21 d, and investigated the effects on gene transcription and hormone production related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and on reproduction. The adverse effects on the F1 generation were further examined. In male fish, plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol were significantly increased along with up-regulation of cyp19a. Exposure to TBEOP at 118 μg/L led to a significant decrease in average egg production. Exposure of the F0 generation to TBEOP delayed hatching and lowered hatching rates in the F1 generation. The results demonstrate that exposure to TBEOP at environmentally relevant concentration levels could affect the sex hormone balance by altering regulatory circuits of the HPG axis, eventually leading to disruption of reproductive performance and the development of offspring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Graduate School of Yongin University, Yongin 17092, Republic of Korea; CRI Global Institute of Toxicology, Croen Research Inc., Suwon 16614, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bareum
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyejin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo-Bang
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Graduate School of Yongin University, Yongin 17092, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyunghee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ktkim@seoultech.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Ki-Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005411:Flame Retardants; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D004958:Estradiol; C013320:tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate
keywords: Endocrine disruption; HPG axis; Organophosphate flame retardants; TBEOP; Zebrafish