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Ussery E, McMaster M, Palace V, Parrott J, Blandford NC, Frank R, Kidd K, Birceanu O, Wilson J, Alaee M, Cunningham J, Wynia A, Clark T, Campbell S, Timlick L, Michaleski S, Marshall S, Nielsen K. Effects of metformin on wild fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) using in-lake mesocosms in a boreal lake ecosystem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172457. [PMID: 38649046 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Due to its widespread use for the treatment of Type-2 diabetes, metformin is routinely detected in surface waters globally. Laboratory studies have shown that environmentally relevant concentrations of metformin can adversely affect the health of adult fish, with effects observed more frequently in males. However, the potential risk to wild fish populations has yet to be fully elucidated and remains a topic of debate. To explore whether environmentally relevant metformin exposure poses a risk to wild fish populations, the present study exposed wild fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to 5 or 50 μg/L metformin via 2 m diameter in-lake mesocosms deployed in a natural boreal lake in Northern Ontario at the International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA). Environmental monitoring was performed at regular intervals for 8-weeks, with fish length, weight (body, liver and gonad), condition factor, gonadosomatic index, liver-somatic index, body composition (water and biomolecules) and hematocrit levels evaluated at test termination. Metabolic endpoints were also evaluated using liver, brain and muscle tissue, and gonads were evaluated histologically. Results indicate that current environmental exposure scenarios may be sufficient to adversely impact the health of wild fish populations. Adult male fish exposed to metformin had significantly reduced whole body weight and condition factor and several male fish from the high-dose metformin had oocytes in their testes. Metformin-exposed fish had altered moisture and lipid (decrease) content in their tissues. Further, brain (increase) and liver (decrease) glycogen were altered in fish exposed to high-dose metformin. To our knowledge, this study constitutes the first effort to understand metformin's effects on a wild small-bodied fish population under environmentally relevant field exposure conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Ussery
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark McMaster
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vince Palace
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Joanne Parrott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicholas C Blandford
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Richard Frank
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen Kidd
- McMaster University, Department of Biology, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Oana Birceanu
- Western University, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanna Wilson
- McMaster University, Department of Biology, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mehran Alaee
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessie Cunningham
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abby Wynia
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas Clark
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheena Campbell
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Timlick
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sonya Michaleski
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Stephanie Marshall
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristin Nielsen
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Marine Science, Port Aransas, TX, USA
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Huang H, Liu Y, Wang Q, Dong C, Dong L, Zhang J, Yang Y, Hao X, Li W, Rosa IF, Doretto LB, Cao X, Shao C. Molecular and Physiological Effects of 17α-methyltestosterone on Sex Differentiation of Black Rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:605. [PMID: 38790234 PMCID: PMC11120931 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
It is widely known that all-female fish production holds economic value for aquaculture. Sebastes schlegelii, a preeminent economic species, exhibits a sex dimorphism, with females surpassing males in growth. In this regard, achieving all-female black rockfish production could significantly enhance breeding profitability. In this study, we utilized the widely used male sex-regulating hormone, 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) at three different concentrations (20, 40, and 60 ppm), to produce pseudomales of S. schlegelii for subsequent all-female offspring breeding. Long-term MT administration severely inhibits the growth of S. schlegelii, while short term had no significant impact. Histological analysis confirmed sex reversal at all MT concentrations; however, both medium and higher MT concentrations impaired testis development. MT also influenced sex steroid hormone levels in pseudomales, suppressing E2 while increasing T and 11-KT levels. In addition, a transcriptome analysis revealed that MT down-regulated ovarian-related genes (cyp19a1a and foxl2) while up-regulating male-related genes (amh) in pseudomales. Furthermore, MT modulated the TGF-β signaling and steroid hormone biosynthesis pathways, indicating its crucial role in S. schlegelii sex differentiation. Therefore, the current study provides a method for achieving sexual reversal using MT in S. schlegelii and offers an initial insight into the underlying mechanism of sexual reversal in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijun Huang
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Yuyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Caichao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Le Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Xiancai Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Weijing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Ivana F. Rosa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 01049-010, Brazil;
| | - Lucas B. Doretto
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
| | - Xuebin Cao
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China;
| | - Changwei Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (Y.L.); (Q.W.); (C.D.); (L.D.); (J.Z.); (Y.Y.); (X.H.); (W.L.); (L.B.D.)
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
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Panter GH, Brown RJ, Jones A, Körner O, Lagadic L, Weltje L. Detection of anti-androgenic activity of chemicals in fish studies: a data review. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:326-338. [PMID: 37526219 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2232398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
A systematic review was conducted on the sensitivity of fish testing guidelines to detect the anti-androgenic activity of substances. Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) was used to investigate the conservation of the androgen receptor (AR) between humans and fish, and among fish species recommended in test guidelines. The AR is conserved between fish species and humans (i.e. ligand binding domain [LBD] homology ≥70%) and among the recommended fish species (LBD homology >85%). For model anti-androgens, we evaluated literature data on in vitro anti-androgenic activity in fish-specific receptor-based assays and changes in endpoints indicative of endocrine modulation from in vivo studies. Anti-androgenic activity was most consistently and reliably detected in in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies with co-exposure to an androgen (spiggin in vitro assay, Rapid Androgen Disruption Activity Reporter [RADAR] Assay, and Androgenised Female Stickleback Screen). Regardless of study design (Fish Short-Term Reproduction Assay [FSTRA], Fish Sexual Development Test [FSDT], partial or full life-cycle tests), or endpoint (vitellogenin, secondary sexual characteristics, gonadal histopathology, sex ratio), there was no consistent evidence for detecting anti-androgenic activity in studies without androgen co-exposure, even for the most potent substances (while less potent substances may induce no (clear) response). Therefore, based on studies without androgen co-exposure (35 FSTRAs and 22 other studies), the other studies (including the FSDT) do not outperform the FSTRA for detecting potent anti-androgenic activity, which if suspected, would be best addressed with a RADAR assay. Overall, fish do not appear particularly sensitive to mammalian anti-androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace H Panter
- wca, Brunel House, Volunteer Way, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Rebecca J Brown
- wca, Brunel House, Volunteer Way, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Alan Jones
- ADAMA US, Environmental Safety, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Oliver Körner
- ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd., Environmental Safety, Köln, Germany
| | - Laurent Lagadic
- Bayer AG, R&D, Crop Science Division, Environmental Safety, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Limburgerhof, Germany
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4
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Yamamoto M, Kanazawa N, Nomura M, Horie Y, Okamura H. Bisphenol A alters sexual dimorphism and gene expression in marine medaka Oryzias melastigma. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:25691-25700. [PMID: 36346516 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23863-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that is present in freshwater and marine environments. However, conclusive evidence for the toxicity of chronic BPA exposure to marine fishes remains lacking. Therefore, we investigated the influence of BPA on male marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma). BPA exposure induced formation of testis-ova at 2610 µg/L, and male-type anal fins became more female type in a concentration-dependent manner. Some males with female-type anal fins had normal testes, indicating that anal fin shape is more sensitive to BPA. Gonadal soma-derived factor (gsdf) expression decreased after BPA exposure in the 746 and 2610 µg/L exposure groups, although the changes were not statistically significant. Additionally, liver vitellogenin (vtg) expression increased in a dose-dependent manner and was significantly higher in all exposure groups. vtg and gsdf are likely to be useful biomarkers for the impact of estrogenic endocrine disrupters in O. melastigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsushi Yamamoto
- Division of Ocean Safety Systems Science, Faculty of Maritime Sciences, Kobe University, 5-1-1 Fukaeminami, Higashinada, Kobe, 658-0022, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Kanazawa
- Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University, 241-438 Kaidobata-Nishi, Nakano Shimoshinjo, Akita, 010-0195, Japan
| | - Miho Nomura
- Graduate School of Maritime Science, Kobe University, Fukaeminami-machi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Horie
- Research Center for Inland Sea (KURCIS), Kobe University, 5-1-1 Fukaeminami, Higashinada, Kobe, 658-0022, Japan.
| | - Hideo Okamura
- Research Center for Inland Sea (KURCIS), Kobe University, 5-1-1 Fukaeminami, Higashinada, Kobe, 658-0022, Japan
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5
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Cozzola AJ, Dehnert GK, White AM, Karasov WH. Effects of subchronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of a commercial fluridone formulation on fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 244:106098. [PMID: 35121564 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Invasive aquatic plants are a widespread problem in United States' waterways, and aquatic herbicide treatments are a common tool used in their management. Fluridone is an active ingredient in aquatic herbicides used globally to control aquatic plants. In order to be effective, fluridone requires a long contact time with plants resulting in extended exposure to non-target organisms. While there has been limited studies exploring the effects of fluridone on non-target aquatic organisms, the effects of subchronic commercial fluridone exposure at concentrations representative of operational use rates for plant management on fish are poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a series of three exposure experiments using environmentally relevant concentrations on different life stages of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). We exposed fathead minnows to a commercial fluridone formulation, Spritflo®, at environmentally relevant concentrations of 0.00, 3.00, 12.00, 25.00, and 100.00 μg/L. Exposure times included subchronic periods up to 35 days and a trans-generation exposure of 65 days, which is a likely residence time of fluridone when applied for plant management. Following 30 days of fluridone exposure, adult male fish had an increased presence of nuptial tubercules, an indicator of endocrine disruption, and an enlarged liver compared to the control. Additionally, we conducted larval fish behavior experiments and found fluridone exposure negatively affected prey capture ability, locomotion, and position preference. Our findings suggest fluridone treatment concentrations used in aquatic plant management do not directly cause mortality in fathead minnows, though sub-lethal effects observed could cause a decline in biological fitness and pose potential ecological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo J Cozzola
- Department of Integrative Biology University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Gavin K Dehnert
- Department of Integrative Biology University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Amber M White
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - William H Karasov
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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6
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Dai X, Pu D, Wang L, Cheng X, Liu X, Yin Z, Wang Z. Emergence of breeding tubercles and puberty onset in male zebrafish: evidence for a dependence on body growth. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:1071-1078. [PMID: 34037242 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The presence of breeding tubercles (BTs) on the pectoral fins has been investigated as a typical male secondary sexual characteristic (SSC) that distinguish males from females in adult zebrafish. Nonetheless, the earliest occurrence of these tubercles and its association with puberty onset and body growth remain unclear. In this study, using morphological, histological and statistical analyses, the authors examined the first appearance of BTs and puberty onset in male zebrafish, with particular emphasis on the potential impact of body growth on them. The results of this study revealed that BTs distributed along the first five branched pectoral fin rays were the earliest manifestation of male SSCs, which is significantly strongly correlated with body weight (R2 = 0.9609, P < 0.001), and could be used as a "gold standard" for the earliest sex distinction (<0.1 g in weight). Using the first appearance of BTs (<0.20 mm2 ) as a metric, the authors established that male puberty commenced at a body weight of c. 0.056 ± 0.015 g or a standard length of 10.99 ± 1.051 mm (mean ± S.D.). In this study, the authors thus established a simple method that can be used to sex live zebrafish at the pubertal stage and provides the first evidence for the relationship of BTs and male puberty initiation with body growth. These findings will accordingly lay a foundation for exploring mechanisms of the SSCs and male puberty onset in zebrafish and other teleost fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Deyong Pu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinkai Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoqin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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7
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Wheeler JR, Gao Z, Lagadic L, Salinas ER, Weltje L, Burden N. Hormone data collection in support of endocrine disruption (ED) assessment for aquatic vertebrates: Pragmatic and animal welfare considerations. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106287. [PMID: 33276311 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James R Wheeler
- Shell International B.V., Shell Health, Carel van Bylandtlaan 16, 2596 HR The Hague, the Netherlands.
| | - Zhenglei Gao
- Bayer AG Research and Development, Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Environmental Effects, Alfred-Nobel-Straße 50, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
| | - Laurent Lagadic
- Bayer AG Research and Development, Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Environmental Effects, Alfred-Nobel-Straße 50, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
| | - Edward R Salinas
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117 Limburgerhof, Germany.
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117 Limburgerhof, Germany.
| | - Natalie Burden
- NC3Rs, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
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8
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Martinez-Bengochea A, Doretto L, Rosa IF, Oliveira MA, Silva C, Silva DMZA, Santos GR, Santos JSF, Avelar MM, Silva LV, Lucianelli-Junior D, Souza ERB, Silva RC, Stewart AB, Nakaghi LSO, Valentin FN, Nóbrega RH. Effects of 17β-estradiol on early gonadal development and expression of genes implicated in sexual differentiation of a South American teleost, Astyanax altiparanae. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 248-249:110467. [PMID: 32628996 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2020.110467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gonadal sex differentiation in teleost fish shows greater plasticity as compared to other vertebrates, as it can be influenced by a variety of factors such as exogenous sex steroids. Exogenous estrogens, such as 17β-estradiol (E2), can induce feminization when administered during early embryonic development. However, the mechanisms underlying the E2-induced feminization are not fully understood, especially in Neotropical species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of E2 administration on the phenotypic sex characteristics, histological assessment of the gonads, and the expression of selected genes in Astyanax altiparanae exposed to dietary E2 prior to gonadal differentiation. At 4 days post-hatch (dph), groups of 30-40 undifferentiated larvae were fed with a diet containing varying amounts of E2 for 28 days, and fish were sampled at 90 dph. Previous studies revealed that ovary formation in A. altiparanae occurred at 58 dph, whereas the first sign of testis formation was found at 73 dph. In relation to the control, E2 exposure increased the proportion of phenotypic females in 120% and 148.4% for 4 and 6 mg E2/Kg, respectively. However, histological analysis revealed that treatments did not affect gonadal sex ratio between males and females, but induced intersex (testis-ova) in the group treated with 6 mg E2/Kg food. Treatment with E2 also altered gonadal transcript levels of a selected number of genes implicated in sexual differentiation. Males overexpressed dmrt1, sox9 and amh following E2 treatment as compared to control. Females showed increased mRNA levels of dmrt1 and sox9, which might be related to the down-regulation of cyp19a1a after E2 exposure. In summary, E2 exposure during early gonadal development affected male secondary characteristics without changing the gonadal sex ratio, and altered expression of genes implicated in sexual differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Martinez-Bengochea
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L Doretto
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - I F Rosa
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M A Oliveira
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Silva
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D M Z A Silva
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G R Santos
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil; Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J S F Santos
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil; Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M M Avelar
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil; Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L V Silva
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil; Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D Lucianelli-Junior
- Laboratório de Morfofisiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Pará, UFPA, Altamira, Pará, Brazil
| | - E R B Souza
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil; Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R C Silva
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil; Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A B Stewart
- Department of Orthopaedics Musculoskeletal Research, West Virginia University,USA
| | - L S O Nakaghi
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil; Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F N Valentin
- Laboratório de Morfofisiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Pará, UFPA, Altamira, Pará, Brazil.
| | - R H Nóbrega
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
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