1
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Chozinski T, Ferguson BS, Fisher W, Ge S, Gong Q, Kang H, McDermott J, Scott A, Shi W, Trausch JJ, Verch T, Vukovich M, Wang J, Wu JE, Yang Q. Development of an Aptamer-Based Electrochemical Microfluidic Device for Viral Vaccine Quantitation. Anal Chem 2022; 94:6146-6155. [PMID: 35410467 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c05093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Global deployment of vaccines poses significant challenges in the distribution and use of the accompanying immunoassays, one of the standard methods for quality control of vaccines, particularly when establishing assays in countries worldwide to support testing/release upon importation. This work describes our effort toward developing an integrated, portable device to carry out affinity assays for viral particles quantification in viral vaccines by incorporating (i) aptamers, (ii) microfluidic devices, and (iii) electrochemical detection. We generated and characterized more than eight aptamers against multiple membrane proteins of cytomegalovirus (CMV), which we used as a model system and designed and fabricated electrochemical microfluidic devices to measure CMV concentrations in a candidate vaccine under development. The aptamer-based assays provided a half maximal effective concentration, EC50, of 12 U/mL, comparable to that of an ELISA using a pair of antibodies (EC50 60 U/mL). The device measured relative CMV concentrations accurately (within ±10% bias) and precisely (11%, percent relative standard deviation). This work represents the critical first steps toward developing simple, affordable, and robust affinity assays for global deployment without the need for sensitive equipment and extensive analyst training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Chozinski
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - B Scott Ferguson
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - William Fisher
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - Shencheng Ge
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Qiang Gong
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - Hui Kang
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - John McDermott
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - Alexander Scott
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - Wentao Shi
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - Jeremiah J Trausch
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Thorsten Verch
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Matthew Vukovich
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - Jinpeng Wang
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - J Emma Wu
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
| | - Qin Yang
- Aptitude Medical Systems, 125 Cremona Drive, Suite 100, Goleta, California 93117, United States
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2
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Yu F, Wei C, Deng P, Peng T, Hu X. Deep exploration of random forest model boosts the interpretability of machine learning studies of complicated immune responses and lung burden of nanoparticles. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/22/eabf4130. [PMID: 34039604 PMCID: PMC8153727 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf4130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The development of machine learning provides solutions for predicting the complicated immune responses and pharmacokinetics of nanoparticles (NPs) in vivo. However, highly heterogeneous data in NP studies remain challenging because of the low interpretability of machine learning. Here, we propose a tree-based random forest feature importance and feature interaction network analysis framework (TBRFA) and accurately predict the pulmonary immune responses and lung burden of NPs, with the correlation coefficient of all training sets >0.9 and half of the test sets >0.75. This framework overcomes the feature importance bias brought by small datasets through a multiway importance analysis. TBRFA also builds feature interaction networks, boosts model interpretability, and reveals hidden interactional factors (e.g., various NP properties and exposure conditions). TBRFA provides guidance for the design and application of ideal NPs and discovers the feature interaction networks that contribute to complex systems with small-size data in various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fubo Yu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Changhong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Peng Deng
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ting Peng
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiangang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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3
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Rutherford R, Lister A, Bosker T, Blewett T, Gillio Meina E, Chehade I, Kanagasabesan T, MacLatchy D. Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) are less sensitive to 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE 2) than other common model teleosts: A comparative review of reproductive effects. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 289:113378. [PMID: 31899193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The environmental estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) will depress or completely inhibit egg production in many common model teleosts at low concentrations (≤0.5 ng/L; Runnalls et al., 2015). This inhibition is not seen in the estuarine killifish, or mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), even when exposed to 100 ng/L EE2. This relative insensitivity to EE2 exposure indicates species-specific mechanisms for compensating for exogenous estrogenic exposure. This review compares various reproductive responses elicited by EE2 in mummichog to other common model teleosts, such as zebrafish (Danio rerio) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), identifying key endpoints where mummichog differ from other studied fish. For example, EE2 accumulates primarily in the liver/gall bladder of mummichog, which is different than zebrafish and fathead minnow in which accumulation is predominantly in the carcass. Despite causing species-specific differences in fecundity, EE2 has been shown to consistently induce hepatic vitellogenin in males and cause feminization/sex reversal during gonadal differentiation in larval mummichog, similar to other species. In addition, while gonadal steroidogenesis and plasma steroid levels respond to exogenous EE2, it is generally at higher concentrations than observed in other species. In mummichog, production of 17β-estradiol (E2) by full grown ovarian follicles remains high; unlike other teleost models where E2 synthesis decreases as 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-prenen-3-on levels increase to induce oocyte maturation. New evidence in mummichog indicates some dissimilarity in gonadal steroidogenic gene expression responses compared to gene expression responses in zebrafish and fathead minnow exposed to EE2. The role of ovarian physiology continues to warrant investigation regarding the tolerance of mummichog to exogenous EE2 exposure. Here we present a comprehensive review, highlighting key biological differences in response to EE2 exposure between mummichog and other commonly used model teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Rutherford
- Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada.
| | - Andrea Lister
- Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada.
| | - Thijs Bosker
- Leiden University College/Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 13228, 2501 EE, The Hague, the Netherlands.
| | - Tamzin Blewett
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 116 St & 85 Ave, T6G 2R3, Canada.
| | | | - Ibrahim Chehade
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | | | - Deborah MacLatchy
- Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada.
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4
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Ellis T, Margiotta-Casaluci L, Pottinger TG, Morris S, Reese RA, Sumpter JP, Scott AP. Immunoassays are not immune to errors: Examples from two studies of steroid output from freshwater trout farms. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 285:113226. [PMID: 31374286 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
A "reproducibility crisis" is widespread across scientific disciplines, where results and conclusions of studies are not supported by subsequent investigation. Here we provide a steroid immunoassay example where human errors generated unreproducible results and conclusions. Our study was triggered by a scientific report citing abnormally high concentrations (means of 4-79 ng L-1) of three natural sex steroids [11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), testosterone (T) and oestradiol (E2)] in water samples collected from two UK rivers over 4 years (2002-6). Furthermore, the data suggested that trout farms were a major source because reported steroid concentrations were 1.3-6 times higher downstream than upstream. We hypothesised that the reported levels were erroneous due to substances co-extracted from the water causing matrix effects (i.e. "false positives") during measurement by enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). Thus, in collaboration with three other groups (including the one that had conducted the 2002-6 study), we carried out field sampling and assaying to examine this hypothesis. Water samples were collected in 2010 from the same sites and prepared for assay using an analogous method [C18 solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by extract clean-up with aminopropyl SPE]. Additional quality control ("spiked" and "blank") samples were processed. Water extracts were assayed for steroids using radioimmunoassay (RIA) as well as EIA. Although there were statistically significant differences between EIA and RIA (and laboratories), there was no indication of matrix effects in the EIAs. Both the EIAs and RIAs (uncorrected for recovery) measured all three natural steroids at <0.6 ng L-1 in all river water samples, indicating that the trout farms were not a significant source of natural steroids. The differences between the two studies were considerable: E2 and T concentrations were ca. 100-fold lower and 11-KT ca. 1000-fold lower than those reported in the 2002-6 study. In the absence of evidence for any marked changes in husbandry practice (e.g. stock, diet) or environmental conditions (e.g. water flow rate) between the study periods, we concluded that calculation errors were probably made in the first (2002-6) study associated with confusion between extract and water sample concentrations. The second (2010) study also had several identified examples of calculation error (use of an incorrect standard curve; extrapolation below the minimum standard; confusion of assay dilutions during result work-up; failure to correct for loss during extraction) and an example of sample contamination. Similar and further errors have been noted in other studies. It must be recognised that assays do not provide absolute measurements and are prone to a variety of errors, so published steroid levels should be viewed with caution until independently confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Ellis
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
| | - Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci
- Brunel University London, Institute for Environment, Health and Societies, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Tom G Pottinger
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Fish Ecophysiology, Lake Ecosystem Group, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Steve Morris
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
| | - R Allan Reese
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
| | - John P Sumpter
- Brunel University London, Institute for Environment, Health and Societies, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Alexander P Scott
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
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5
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Jensen MA, Moseby KE, Paton DC, Fanson KV. Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical physiology in a threatened Australian marsupial, the western quoll ( Dasyurus geoffroii). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 7:coz069. [PMID: 31687147 PMCID: PMC6822536 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Reintroduction has become an increasingly important conservation tool in Australia, yet the effects of stress on species during reintroduction programs have received little attention. The use of enzyme immunoassays to measure faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) is a useful non-invasive technique to monitor adrenal activity but requires validation before they can be reliably used. As part of a large reintroduction project, the goals of this study were to 1) monitor FGM in 53 western quolls (Dasyurus geoffroii) following capture from the wild and transfer to a holding facility and use this stressor to biologically validate an enzyme immunoassay; 2) determine if biological factors, such as sex, age, weight or source population affect baseline FGM levels; and 3) examine individual variation in the acute adrenal response of quolls to the capture and transfer associated with reintroductions. We successfully validated an assay that targets glucocorticoid metabolites with a 5α-3β,11β-diol structure and found that sex significantly influenced both baseline and peak FGM output in western quolls, whereas age, weight and source population did not. We also observed considerable variation among individuals in the magnitude and duration of their physiological response to capture and transfer. Using the methods described here, FGM analysis may provide further information about the adrenal activity of the western quoll and improve future conservation efforts for this threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Jensen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Katherine E Moseby
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - David C Paton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Kerry V Fanson
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
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6
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Hsu MN, Wei SC, Guo S, Phan DT, Zhang Y, Chen CH. Smart Hydrogel Microfluidics for Single-Cell Multiplexed Secretomic Analysis with High Sensitivity. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1802918. [PMID: 30334375 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Secreted proteins determine a range of cellular functionalities correlated with human health and disease progression. Because of cell heterogeneity, it is essential to measure low abundant protein secretions from individual cells to determine single-cell activities. In this study, an integrated platform consisting of smart hydrogel immunosensors for the sensitive detection of single-cell secretions is developed. A single cell and smart hydrogel microparticles are encapsulated within a droplet. After incubation, target secreted proteins from the cell are captured in the smart hydrogel particle for immunoassay. The temperature-induced volume phase transition of the hydrogel biosensor allows the concentration of analytes within the gel matrix to increase, enabling high-sensitivity measurements. Distinct heterogeneity for live cell secretions is determined from 6000 cells within 1 h. This method is tested for low abundant essential secretions, such as interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretions of both suspended cells (HL60) and adherent cells (MCF7 and MDA-MB-231). This platform is highly flexible and can be used to simultaneously measure a wide range of clinically relevant cellular secretions; it thus represents a novel tool for precise biological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myat Noe Hsu
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
- Biomedical Institute for Global Health Research and Technology (BIGHEART), Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Shih-Chung Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
- Biomedical Institute for Global Health Research and Technology (BIGHEART), Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Song Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Dinh-Tuan Phan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Yong Zhang
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Chia-Hung Chen
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
- Biomedical Institute for Global Health Research and Technology (BIGHEART), Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), Singapore, 117456, Singapore
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7
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Scott AP. Is there any value in measuring vertebrate steroids in invertebrates? Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 265:77-82. [PMID: 29625121 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This brief review questions the belief that just because it is possible to measure vertebrate steroids (such as estradiol-17β, testosterone and progesterone) in the tissues of invertebrates, this necessarily means that they are endogenously derived or are hormones. There is a surprisingly large number of studies, mainly on mollusks, showing that they can readily absorb vertebrate steroids from the environment. They are also able to conjugate these steroids to fatty acids with great efficiency, and subsequently retain them for very long periods (with half-lives measured in weeks rather than days). This, plus the fact that key enzymes that are required for the biosynthesis of vertebrate steroids (e.g. aromatase) do not appear to be present in invertebrates, calls into doubt the claims in many studies on invertebrates that steroid concentrations are functionally linked to reproductive cycles or that invertebrates can be used as biomarker for vertebrate-type endocrine disrupters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P Scott
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (Cefas), Barrack Road, Weymouth DT4 8UB, UK.
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8
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Schoenemann KL, Bonier F. Repeatability of glucocorticoid hormones in vertebrates: a meta-analysis. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4398. [PMID: 29492340 PMCID: PMC5826989 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We often expect that investigations of the patterns, causes, and consequences of among-individual variation in a trait of interest will reveal how selective pressures or ecological conditions influence that trait. However, many endocrine traits, such as concentrations of glucocorticoid (GC) hormones, exhibit adaptive plasticity and, therefore, do not necessarily respond to these pressures as predicted by among-individual phenotypic correlations. To improve our interpretations of among-individual variation in GC concentrations, we need more information about the repeatability of these traits within individuals. Many studies have already estimated the repeatability of baseline, stress-induced, and integrated GC measures, which provides an opportunity to use meta-analytic techniques to investigate (1) whether GC titers are generally repeatable across taxa, and (2) which biological or methodological factors may impact these estimates. From an intensive search of the literature, we collected 91 GC repeatability estimates from 47 studies. Overall, we found evidence that GC levels are repeatable, with mean repeatability estimates across studies ranging from 0.230 for baseline levels to 0.386 for stress-induced levels. We also noted several factors that predicted the magnitude of these estimates, including taxon, sampling season, and lab technique. Amphibians had significantly higher repeatability in baseline and stress-induced GCs than birds, mammals, reptiles, or bony fish. The repeatability of stress-induced GCs was higher when measured within, rather than across, life history stages. Finally, estimates of repeatability in stress-induced and integrated GC measures tended to be lower when GC concentrations were quantified using commercial kit assays rather than in-house assays. The extent to which among-individual variation in GCs may explain variation in organismal performance or fitness (and thereby inform our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary processes driving that variation) depends on whether measures of GC titers accurately reflect how individuals differ overall. Our findings suggest that while GC titers can reflect some degree of consistent differences among individuals, they frequently may not. We discuss how our findings contribute to interpretations of variation in GCs, and suggest routes for the design and analysis of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frances Bonier
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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9
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García-García M, Sánchez-Hernández M, García-Hernández MP, García-Ayala A, Chaves-Pozo E. Role of 5α-dihydrotestosterone in testicular development of gilthead seabream following finasteride administration. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 174:48-55. [PMID: 28739284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In teleosts, spermatogenesis is regulated by pituitary gonadotropins and sex steroids. 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), derived from testosterone (T) through the action of 5α-reductase, has recently been suggested to play a physiologically important role in some fish species. In this study, gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata L., males received an implant of 1μgT/g body mass (bm) or vehicle alone and, 7days later, 1mg finasteride (FIN, an inhibitor of 5α-reductase)/kg bm or vehicle. Serum levels of T, 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), DHT and 17β-estradiol (E2), and the mRNA levels of the main enzymes involved in their synthesis, were analysed. T promoted a transient increase in the serum levels of T, 11KT and E2 but a decrease in those of DHT at day 15 following T injection, in accordance with the up-regulation of mRNA levels of the enzymes involved in T transformation to 11KT (coding genes: cyp11b1 and hsd11b) and the down-regulation of mRNA levels of the enzyme responsible for T transformation to DHT (coding gene: srd5a). Interestingly, a similar effect was observed when FIN was injected. However, when fish were injected with T and FIN successively (T+FIN), control levels were not recovered at the end of the experimental period (28days). DHT seems to regulate E2 serum levels via the down-regulation of mRNA levels of aromatase (coding gene: cyp19a1a), which is needed for the transformation of T into E2. The testis histology, together with the proliferative rates recorded upon T, FIN or T+FIN treatment, suggests that DHT is involved in the onset of the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M García-García
- Sección de Microscopía, Servicio de Apoyo a la Investigación Regional, Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - M Sánchez-Hernández
- Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto de Mazarrón, 30860, Spain
| | - M P García-Hernández
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - A García-Ayala
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - E Chaves-Pozo
- Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto de Mazarrón, 30860, Spain.
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10
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Feswick A, Isaacs M, Biales A, Flick RW, Bencic DC, Wang RL, Vulpe C, Brown-Augustine M, Loguinov A, Falciani F, Antczak P, Herbert J, Brown L, Denslow ND, Kroll KJ, Lavelle C, Dang V, Escalon L, Garcia-Reyero N, Martyniuk CJ, Munkittrick KR. How consistent are we? Interlaboratory comparison study in fathead minnows using the model estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol to develop recommendations for environmental transcriptomics. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:2614-2623. [PMID: 28316117 PMCID: PMC6145073 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Fundamental questions remain about the application of omics in environmental risk assessments, such as the consistency of data across laboratories. The objective of the present study was to determine the congruence of transcript data across 6 independent laboratories. Male fathead minnows were exposed to a measured concentration of 15.8 ng/L 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) for 96 h. Livers were divided equally and sent to the participating laboratories for transcriptomic analysis using the same fathead minnow microarray. Each laboratory was free to apply bioinformatics pipelines of its choice. There were 12 491 transcripts that were identified by one or more of the laboratories as responsive to EE2. Of these, 587 transcripts (4.7%) were detected by all laboratories. Mean overlap for differentially expressed genes among laboratories was approximately 50%, which improved to approximately 59.0% using a standardized analysis pipeline. The dynamic range of fold change estimates was variable between laboratories, but ranking transcripts by their relative fold difference resulted in a positive relationship for comparisons between any 2 laboratories (mean R2 > 0.9, p < 0.001). Ten estrogen-responsive genes encompassing a fold change range from dramatic (>20-fold; e.g., vitellogenin) to subtle (∼2-fold; i.e., block of proliferation 1) were identified as differentially expressed, suggesting that laboratories can consistently identify transcripts that are known a priori to be perturbed by a chemical stressor. Thus, attention should turn toward identifying core transcriptional networks using focused arrays for specific chemicals. In addition, agreed-on bioinformatics pipelines and the ranking of genes based on fold change (as opposed to p value) should be considered in environmental risk assessment. These recommendations are expected to improve comparisons across laboratories and advance the use of omics in regulations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2593-2601. © 2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Feswick
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Meghan Isaacs
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Adam Biales
- Molecular Indicators Research Branch, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert W Flick
- Molecular Indicators Research Branch, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - David C Bencic
- Molecular Indicators Research Branch, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Rong-Lin Wang
- Molecular Indicators Research Branch, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Chris Vulpe
- Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Marianna Brown-Augustine
- Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Alex Loguinov
- Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Francesco Falciani
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Philipp Antczak
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - John Herbert
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lorraine Brown
- Pacific Environmental Science Centre, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nancy D Denslow
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, UF Genetics Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kevin J Kroll
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, UF Genetics Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Candice Lavelle
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, UF Genetics Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Viet Dang
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, UF Genetics Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Lynn Escalon
- US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi
| | - Natàlia Garcia-Reyero
- US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi, USA
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, UF Genetics Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kelly R Munkittrick
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
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11
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Fanson KV, Németh Z, Ramenofsky M, Wingfield JC, Buchanan KL. Inter‐laboratory variation in corticosterone measurement: Implications for comparative ecological and evolutionary studies. Methods Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kerry V. Fanson
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Geelong Australia
| | - Zoltán Németh
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior University of California Davis Davis CA USA
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group University of Debrecen Debrecen Hungary
| | - Marilyn Ramenofsky
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Geelong Australia
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior University of California Davis Davis CA USA
| | - John C. Wingfield
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Geelong Australia
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior University of California Davis Davis CA USA
| | - Katherine L. Buchanan
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Geelong Australia
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12
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Schwarz TI, Katsiadaki I, Maskrey BH, Scott AP. Mussels (Mytilus spp.) display an ability for rapid and high capacity uptake of the vertebrate steroid, estradiol-17β from water. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 165:407-420. [PMID: 27568213 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Six experiments were carried out to define the optimum conditions for investigating the dynamics of uptake and metabolism of tritiated E2 from water by adult blue mussels, Mytilus spp. Optimum uptake was achieved using 400mL aerated sea water animal-1 and an incubation period of no more than 24h. The pattern of disappearance conformed closest to an inverse hyperbolic curve with the percentage of radiolabel that could be measured in the water reaching an asymptote that was on average 50% of the original. This apparent inability of the animals to absorb all the radiolabel was investigated further. Solvent partition and chromatography revealed that, after 24h, c. 60% of the radiolabel still present in the water was composed of water soluble conjugates, c. 25% was composed of tritiated water and only 15% ran on and around the chromatographic position of E2. The major water soluble constituent was identified by chromatography and mass-spectrometry as 1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,17β-diol 3-sulfate (estradiol 3-S). The clearance rate of radiolabel was 46.9±1.8mLanimal-1h-1. This was not significantly affected by the addition of as much as 25μgL-1 cold E2 to the water, demonstrating that mussels have a large capacity for E2 uptake. A new procedure involving solvent partition was developed for separating the free, esterified and sulfated forms of E2 present in the flesh of mussels. This involved extracting the soft tissue with organic solvents and then treating a portion of dried extract with a combination of heptane (dissolved fatty acid esters of E2) and 80% ethanol (dissolved free and sulfated E2). The latter fraction was further partitioned between water (sulfate) and diethyl ether (free steroid). This procedure was much cheaper and less time-consuming than chromatography. Approximately 80% of the radioactivity that was taken up by the animals was present in the form of ester. Moreover, E2 was the only steroid identified after saponification of these esters. Of the remaining radioactivity, c. 10% was in the form of unidentified free steroids and c. 10% was estradiol 3-S. In order to determine how rapidly mussels were able to depurate tritiated E2 and its metabolites, two experiments were carried out. Animals from the first experiment purged up to 63% of radioactivity in 20days under flow-through conditions; whereas animals from the second experiment released only 16% of radioactivity in 10days under semi-static conditions. The ratios of the different forms of E2 did not change substantially during the course of depuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar I Schwarz
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Ioanna Katsiadaki
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
| | - Benjamin H Maskrey
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Alexander P Scott
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
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13
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Fuzzen MLM, Bragg LM, Tetreault GR, Bahamonde PA, Tanna RN, Bennett CJ, McMaster ME, Servos MR. An Assessment of the Spatial and Temporal Variability of Biological Responses to Municipal Wastewater Effluent in Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) Collected along an Urban Gradient. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164879. [PMID: 27776151 PMCID: PMC5077097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Municipal wastewater effluent (MWWE) and its constituents, such as chemicals of emerging concern, pose a potential threat to the sustainability of fish populations by disrupting key endocrine functions in aquatic organisms. While studies have demonstrated changes in biological markers of exposure of aquatic organisms to groups of chemicals of emerging concern, the variability of these markers over time has not been sufficiently described in wild fish species. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal variability of biological markers in response to MWWE exposure and to test the consistency of these responses between seasons and among years. Rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) were collected in spring and fall seasons over a 5-year period in the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. In addition to surface water chemistry (nutrients and selected pharmaceuticals), measures were taken across levels of biological organization in rainbow darter. The measurements of hormone production, gonad development, and intersex severity were temporally consistent and suggested impaired reproduction in male fish collected downstream of MWWE outfalls. In contrast, ovarian development and hormone production in females appeared to be influenced more by urbanization than MWWE. Measures of gene expression and somatic indices were highly variable between sites and years, respectively, and were inconclusive in terms of the impacts of MWWE overall. Robust biomonitoring programs must consider these factors in both the design and interpretation of results, especially when spatial and temporal sampling of biological endpoints is limited. Assessing the effects of contaminants and other stressors on fish in watersheds would be greatly enhanced by an approach that considers natural variability in the endpoints being measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan L. M. Fuzzen
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Leslie M. Bragg
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gerald R. Tetreault
- Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada Center for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paulina A. Bahamonde
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Rajiv N. Tanna
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles J. Bennett
- Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada Center for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark E. McMaster
- Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada Center for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark R. Servos
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Wang Z, Zou S, Xing C, Song S, Liu L, Xu C. Preparation of a monoclonal antibody against testosterone and its use in development of an immunochromatographic assay. FOOD AGR IMMUNOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/09540105.2015.1137276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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15
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Bahamonde PA, Feswick A, Isaacs MA, Munkittrick KR, Martyniuk CJ. Defining the role of omics in assessing ecosystem health: Perspectives from the Canadian environmental monitoring program. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2016; 35:20-35. [PMID: 26771350 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Scientific reviews and studies continue to describe omics technologies as the next generation of tools for environmental monitoring, while cautioning that there are limitations and obstacles to overcome. However, omics has not yet transitioned into national environmental monitoring programs designed to assess ecosystem health. Using the example of the Canadian Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program, the authors describe the steps that would be required for omics technologies to be included in such an established program. These steps include baseline collection of omics endpoints across different species and sites to generate a range of what is biologically normal within a particular ecosystem. Natural individual variability in the omes is not adequately characterized and is often not measured in the field, but is a key component to an environmental monitoring program, to determine the critical effect size or action threshold for management. Omics endpoints must develop a level of standardization, consistency, and rigor that will allow interpretation of the relevance of changes across broader scales. To date, population-level consequences of routinely measured endpoints such as reduced gonad size or intersex in fish is not entirely clear, and the significance of genome-wide molecular, proteome, or metabolic changes on organism or population health is further removed from the levels of ecological change traditionally managed. The present review is not intended to dismiss the idea that omics will play a future role in large-scale environmental monitoring studies, but rather outlines the necessary actions for its inclusion in regulatory monitoring programs focused on assessing ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina A Bahamonde
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - April Feswick
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Meghan A Isaacs
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Kelly R Munkittrick
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
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16
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Chiang G, Barra R, Díaz-Jaramillo M, Rivas M, Bahamonde P, Munkittrick KR. Estrogenicity and intersex in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to Pine/Eucalyptus pulp and paper production effluent in Chile. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2015; 164:126-134. [PMID: 25956323 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pulp and paper mill effluents (PPMEs) have been shown to increase gonad size, cause early maturation, and disrupt hormone functions in native and non-native Chilean fish. In this study, we assessed reproductive (plasma vitellogenin; VTG, gonad development) and metabolic (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity; EROD) end points, relative liver size (LSI) and condition factor (K) of juvenile female and male rainbow trout exposed to effluents. Unlike previous studies, which have focus either on the specific effects of effluent on fish in laboratory exposures or biotic population statuses downstream of discharge sites, we simultaneously assessed the impacts of PPMES on trout using two approaches: (1) laboratory exposures of tertiary treated PPME produced from processing Eucalyptus globulus or Pinus radiata; and (2) in situ bioassay downstream of the combined discharge of the same pulp mill. Despite an increase in the average gonadosomatic index (GSI) in exposed fish, no statistical differences in gonad size between exposed and unexposed individuals was detected. However, both female and male fish exposed to effluents showed significantly higher concentrations of plasma VTG, so more in fish exposed to Eucalyptus-based effluent when compared to Pinus PPME. In addition, male fish showed intersex characteristics in all exposure assays (Eucaliptus and Pinus) and, despite the low concentration of effluent in the river (<1% [v/v]), similar responses were observed in the caged fish. Finally, EROD activity was induced in both in situ exposures and laboratory assays at the higher PPME concentration (60-85% PPME). This study confirms estrogenic effects in Chilean fish exposed to PPME and the necessity for biological effects monitoring in addition to the assessment of physical-chemical endpoints as required in current government regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Chiang
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB E2L 4L5, Canada.
| | - Ricardo Barra
- Aquatic Systems Research Unit, EULA-Chile Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Concepción, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Mauricio Díaz-Jaramillo
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental (ECoA), IIMyC-CONICET-UNMdP, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Meyling Rivas
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Paulina Bahamonde
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB E2L 4L5, Canada
| | - Kelly R Munkittrick
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB E2L 4L5, Canada
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17
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Evaluation of Organochlorine Pesticides and Sex Steroids in Lower Niagara River Lake Sturgeon. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2014. [DOI: 10.3996/072013-jfwm-048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
As a long-lived, late-maturing species, lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens are vulnerable to the bioaccumulation of contaminants, which may impact reproductive physiology. The purpose of this study was to use a nondestructive method to investigate the relationship between endocrine-disrupting contaminants and sex steroids in lake sturgeon from the lower Niagara River. We screened blood plasma samples from lower Niagara River lake sturgeon (n = 63) during April and May of 2012 for concentrations of 17 organochlorine (OC) contaminants that may affect endocrine function, as well as for abnormal levels of sex steroids testosterone (T) and 17β-estradiol (E2). We found detectable levels of two OC contaminants in the blood plasma of lake sturgeon, DDE (n = 21) and γ-BHC (n = 1). In both cases, plasma contaminant concentration was well below levels known to adversely affect sturgeon reproductive physiology. In addition, qualitative analysis of chromatographs from plasma extracts did not show the presence of other peaks that matched polychlorinated biphenyl standard peaks. Comparisons of plasma steroid levels with those of others from the literature gave no indication of endocrine disruption, though plasma T levels were notably high in the lower Niagara River population. We conclude that plasma OC levels are below threshold levels found in the scientific literature that would affect lake sturgeon reproductive physiology, and that it is unlikely that significant contaminant-mediated endocrine disruption is occurring in this population.
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