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Zou H, Yu H, Huang Y, Guo Y, Ye M, Hou L. Chronic exposure to gestodene impairs reproductive system in adult female zebrafish (Daniarerio). CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 355:141876. [PMID: 38570043 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141876] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Gestodene (GES) is widely used in human therapy and animal husbandry and is frequently detected in aquatic environments. Although GES adversely affects aquatic organisms at trace levels, its effects on the reproductive biology of fish remain inconclusive. In this study, female zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to environmentally relevant levels of GES for the evaluation of the effects of GES on the reproductive system by using endpoints including gene expression, plasma steroid concentrations, histological and morphological analyses, copulatory behavior, and reproductive output. Adult female zebrafish exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of GES (4.0, 40.2, and 372.7 ng/L) for 60 d demonstrated stagnant ovarian oocyte development, evidenced by an increase in the percentage of perinuclear and atretic oocytes and a decrease in the percentage of late vitellogenic oocytes. GES-exposed females were less attractive to males and had lower copulatory intimacy than females in control. Consequently, spawning (44.3-49.2 %) and egg fertilization rates (27.9-32.0 %) were decreased. The decreased survival of fertilized eggs and hatching rates were accompanied by increased malformations. These negative effects were associated with abnormal transcriptional levels of gonadal steroid hormones, which were regulated by genes (Hsd17β3, Hsd11β2, Hsd20β, Cyp19a1a, and Cyp11b). Overall, our findings suggest that GES impairs the reproductive system of zebrafish, which may threaten population stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - HongJun Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - YunYi Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - YanFang Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - MeiXin Ye
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - LiPing Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Key Laboratory of Conservation and Application in Biodiversity of South China, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
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Li Y, Tan Z, Zuo P, Li M, Hou L, Wang X. Gestodene causes masculinization of the western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis): Insights from ovary metabolomics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168693. [PMID: 38008334 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168693] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Gestodene (GES) is a common synthetic progesterone frequently detected in aquatic environments. Chronic exposure to GES can cause masculinization of a variety of fish; however, whether metabolism is closely related to the masculinization has yet to be explored. Hence, the ovary metabolome of adult female western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) after exposing to GES (0.0, 5.0, 50.0, and 500.0 ng/L) for 40 days was analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography ionization with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS). The results showed that GES increased the levels of cysteine, taurine, ophthalmic acid and cAMP while decreased methionine, these metabolites changes may owing to the oxidative stress of the ovaries; while taurcholic acid and uric acid were decreased along with induced oocyte apopotosis. Steroids hormone metabolism was also significantly affected, with progesterone and cortisol being the most affected. Enzyme-linked immunoassay results showed that estradiol levels were decreased while testosterone levels were increased with GES exposure. In addition, correlation analysis showed that the differential metabolites of some amino acids (e.g. leucine) were strongly correlated with the levels of steroids hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. The results of this study suggest that GES affects ovarian metabolism via the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes, impair antioxidant capacity, induce apoptosis in the ovary of G. affinis, and finally caused masculinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelin Li
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhiqing Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Life Sciences, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526000, China
| | - Peiyu Zuo
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Maorong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liping Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Xiaolan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Jenila JS, Issac PK, Lam SS, Oviya JC, Jones S, Munusamy-Ramanujam G, Chang SW, Ravindran B, Mannacharaju M, Ghotekar S, Khoo KS. Deleterious effect of gestagens from wastewater effluent on fish reproduction in aquatic environment: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116810. [PMID: 37532209 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116810] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Gestagens are common pollutants accumulated in the aquatic ecosystem. Gestagens are comprised of natural gestagens (i.e. progesterone) and synthetic gestagens (i.e. progestins). The major contributors of gestagens in the environment are paper plant mill effluent, wastewater treatment plants, discharge from pharmaceutical manufacturing, and livestock farming. Gestagens present in the aquatic environment interact with progesterone receptors and other steroid hormone receptors, negatively influencing fish reproduction, development, and behavior. In fish, the gonadotropin induces 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) production, an important steroid hormone involved in gametogenesis. DHP interacts with the membrane progestin receptor (mPR), which regulates sperm motility and oocyte maturation. Gestagens also interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which results in altered hormone levels in fish. Moreover, recent studies showed that even at low concentrations exposure to gestagens can have detrimental effects on fish reproduction, including reduced egg production, masculinization, feminization in males, and altered sex ratio, raising concerns about their impact on the fish population. This review highlights the hormonal regulation of sperm motility, oocyte maturation, the concentration of environmental gestagens in the aquatic environment, and their detrimental effects on fish reproduction. However, the long-term and combined impacts of multiple gestagens, including their interactions with other pollutants on fish populations and ecosystems are not well understood. The lack of standardized regulations and monitoring protocols for gestagens pollution in wastewater effluent hampers effective control and management. Nonetheless, advancements in analytical techniques and biomonitoring methods provide potential solutions by enabling better detection and quantification of gestagens in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Jenila
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Issac
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - J Christina Oviya
- Department of Biotechnology, St. Joseph's College of Engineering, Chennai, India; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Sumathi Jones
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, BIHER, Chennai, India
| | - Ganesh Munusamy-Ramanujam
- Molecular Biology and Immunobiology Division, Interdisciplinary Institute of Indian System of Medicine, SRM-IST, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India.
| | - Soon Woong Chang
- Department of Environmental Energy & Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16227, South Korea
| | - Balasubramani Ravindran
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Environmental Energy & Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16227, South Korea
| | - Mahesh Mannacharaju
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Suresh Ghotekar
- Department of Chemistry, Smt. Devkiba Mohansinhji Chauhan College of Commerce and Science (University of Mumbai), Silvassa, 396 230, Dadra and Nagar Haveli (UT), India
| | - Kuan Shiong Khoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Centre for Herbal Pharmacology and Environmental Sustainability, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, 603103, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Jiang X, Xue Z, Chen W, Xu M, Liu H, Liang J, Zhang L, Sun Y, Liu C, Yang X. Biotransformation kinetics and pathways of typical synthetic progestins in soil microcosms. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 446:130684. [PMID: 36586332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Gestodene (GES), altrenogest (ALT), and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) are three potent synthetic progestins detected in agricultural soils; however, their biotransformation outcomes in soils remain unclear. This study explored the biotransformation of these progestins in five agricultural soils with different physicochemical properties. The biotransformation data were well-described by a first-order decay model (R2 = 0.83-0.99), with estimated half-lives ranging between 12.1 and 188 h. Amplicon sequencing indicated that the presence of progestins changed the bacterial richness and community structure in the soils. Linear correlation, canonical correlation, and two-way correlation network analysis revealed that soil properties can affect biotransformation rates by interfering with progestin-soil interactions or with keystone taxa in soils. The clustermap demonstrated the formation of abundant transformation products (TPs). Isomerization and C4(5) hydrogenation were the major transformation pathways for GES (yields of ∼ 13.7 % and ∼ 10.6 %, respectively). Aromatic dehydrogenation was the major transformation pathway for ALT (yield of ∼ 17.4 %). The C17 hydrolysis with subsequent dehydration and hydrogenation was the major transformation pathway for MPA (yield of ∼ 196 %). In particular, some TPs exhibited progestagenic, androgenic, or estrogenic activity. This study highlights the importance of evaluating the ecotoxicity of progestin and TP mixtures for better understanding their risks in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuping Jiang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Zhongye Xue
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Weisong Chen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Manxin Xu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - He Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Jiahao Liang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Lu Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Yan Sun
- Guangdong Institute of Eco-environmental Science & Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510650, PR China
| | - Churong Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China.
| | - Xingjian Yang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China.
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Hua J, Zhu B, Guo W, Wang X, Guo Y, Yang L, Han J, Zhou B. Endocrine disrupting effects induced by levonorgestrel linked to altered DNA methylation in rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 257:109332. [PMID: 35351618 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Progestins are worldwide environmental contaminants, however, their ecotoxicological risks and underlying molecular mechanisms of effects are not fully understood. In this study, newly hatched rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) larvae were exposed to environmentally realistic concentrations (1 and 10 ng/L) of levonorgestrel (LNG) for 6 months. The sex ratios were not affected by LNG at both concentrations, but the growth was significantly inhibited at 10 ng/L while promoted at 1 ng/L. Histological analysis revealed impaired gonadal development. Plasma concentrations of estradiol in females and testosterone in both sexes were significantly induced after exposure to 1 ng/L LNG; plasma concentrations of 11-ketotestosterone were markedly increased in females exposed to 10 ng/L LNG and in males exposed to both concentrations of LNG. The transcription of cyp19a1a was significantly up-regulated in ovaries exposed to LNG at both concentrations, while cyp17a1 was down-regulated in testes exposed to 10 ng/L LNG. The global DNA methylation level was significantly decreased in testes exposed to 10 ng/L LNG, which might be associated with inhibited spermatogenesis. Gender-specific changes in CpG methylation patterns were induced by LNG in the 5' flanking region of cyp19a1a, with hypomethylation in ovaries but hypermethylation in testes, which was linked to the regulation of cyp19a1a transcription. The results suggest that LNG could induce endocrine disrupting effects in fish at environmentally realistic concentrations, which may be linked to altered DNA methylation. This study indicates potentially high ecological risk of LNG to fish populations, and warrants researches on regulatory mechanisms of epigenetic modifications in progestin-induced effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghuan Hua
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China; State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Biran Zhu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China; State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xianfeng Wang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Yongyong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lihua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jian Han
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Bingsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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Synthetic Progestins in Waste and Surface Waters: Concentrations, Impacts and Ecological Risk. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10040163. [PMID: 35448424 PMCID: PMC9026682 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10040163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic progestins (PGs) are a large family of hormones used in continuously growing amounts in human and animal contraception and medicinal therapies. Because wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are unable to eradicate PGs after excretion, they are discharged into aquatic systems, where they can also be regenerated from conjugated PG metabolites. This review summarises the concentrations of 12 PGs in waters from 2015 to 2021. The selected PGs were considered of particular interest due to their wide use, activity, and hormonal derivation (from testosterone, progesterone, and spirolactone). We concluded that PGs had been analysed in WWTPs influents and effluents and, to a lesser extent, in other matrices, including surface waters, where their concentrations range from ng/L to a few µg/L. Because of their high affinity for cell hormone receptors, PGs are endocrine disruptor compounds that may alter the reproductive fitness and development of biota. This review focused on their biological effects in fish, which are the most used aquatic model organisms to qualify the impacts of PGs, highlighting the risks that environmental concentrations pose to their health, fecundity, and fertility. It is concluded that PGs research should be expanded because of the still limited data on their environmental concentrations and effects.
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Chen S, Lin C, Tan J, Wang Y, Wang X, Wang X, Liu L, Li J, Hou L, Liu J, Leung JYS. Reproductive potential of mosquitofish is reduced by the masculinizing effect of a synthetic progesterone, gestodene: Evidence from morphology, courtship behaviour, ovary histology, sex hormones and gene expressions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 769:144570. [PMID: 33486178 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The ever-increasing use of synthetic hormones, especially progestins, for medical applications has drawn growing concerns due to their potential endocrine disrupting effects that may diminish the reproductive outputs of aquatic organisms. Using mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) as a model species, we tested whether gestodene (GES), a commonly used progestin, can alter the expressions of genes associated with sex hormone synthesis and cause ensuing changes in morphological features, courtship behaviour and oocyte development. After exposing to GES at environmentally relevant concentrations (2.96, 32.9 and 354 ng L-1) for 40 days, we found that GES, especially at 354 ng L-1, induced masculinization of female fish, indicated by the reduced body weight to length ratio and development of gonopodia (i.e. anal fins of male fish). Thus, the males showed less intimacy and mating interest towards the GES-exposed females, indicated by the reduced time spent on attending, following and mating behaviours. While oocyte development was seemingly unaffected by GES, spermatogonia were developed in the ovary. All the aforementioned masculinizing effects of GES were associated with the increased testosterone level and decreased estradiol level, driven by upregulating androgen receptor genes (Arα and Arβ). Overall, our findings suggest that progestins could undermine the reproductive potential of aquatic organisms and hence their persistence in the progestin-contaminated environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanduo Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Canyuan Lin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiefeng Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, College of Ecology and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiaolan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Lu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Liping Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution, China.
| | - Jonathan Y S Leung
- Faculty of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia.
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Reproductive Toxicity of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) on Javanese Medaka ( Oryziasjavanicus, Bleeker 1854). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030798. [PMID: 33809309 PMCID: PMC8000808 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Compound 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) is a metabolite of several urea herbicides and intermediate chemical of several industrial products. Moreover, 3,4-DCA has been frequently detected in aquatic ecosystems around the world. This aniline is more toxic than the parent chemicals, and it affects non-target organisms. This study evaluated a 21-day reproductive response of an emerging aquatic vertebrate model, Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus), exposed to 3,4-DCA. Fecundity and gonads histopathology were observed. The spawning rate and fertilisation reduced significantly in the highest exposed-group (250 µg/L). Gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly low in females exposed to 250 µg/L. No substantial structural alteration of male gonads. However, oocyte development and ovarian cell structure were disrupted in 250 µg/L exposed females. The gonadal developmental was not affected in the males; however, a significant reduction in the developmental of female gonads was observed at 250 µg/L. These results show that 3,4-DCA interfere with the reproduction of Javanese medaka through fecundity and alteration of gonadal tissues.
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Endocrine disruptors in teleosts: Evaluating environmental risks and biomarkers. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Garoche C, Aït-Aïssa S, Boulahtouf A, Creusot N, Hinfray N, Bourguet W, Balaguer P, Brion F. Human and Zebrafish Nuclear Progesterone Receptors Are Differently Activated by Manifold Progestins. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:9510-9518. [PMID: 32650635 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The environmental risk of natural and synthetic ligands of the nuclear progesterone receptor (nPR) has been pointed out, however there is still a lack of mechanistic information regarding their ability to interact with nuclear PR in aquatic species. To identify possible interspecies differences, we assessed in vitro the ability of manifold progestins to transactivate zebrafish (zf) and human (h) PRs, using two established reporter cell lines, U2OS-zfPR and HELN-hPR, respectively. Reference ligands highlighted some differences between the two receptors. The reference human agonist ligands promegestone and progesterone induced luciferase activity in both cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the natural zebrafish progestin 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one activated zfPR but not hPR. The potent human PR antagonist mifepristone (RU486) blocked PR-induced luciferase in both cell models but with different potencies. In addition, a set of 22 synthetic progestins were screened on the two cell lines. Interestingly, all of the tested compounds activated hPR in the HELN-hPR cell line, whereas the majority of them acted as zfPR antagonists in U2OS-zfPR. Such zfPR-specific response was further confirmed in zebrafish liver cells. This study provides novel information regarding the activity of a large set of progestins on human and zebrafish PR and highlights major interspecies differences in their activity, which may result in differential effects of progestins between fish and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Garoche
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Unité Écotoxicologie In Vitro et In Vivo, UMR-I 02-SEBIO, Parc ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Selim Aït-Aïssa
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Unité Écotoxicologie In Vitro et In Vivo, UMR-I 02-SEBIO, Parc ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Abdelhay Boulahtouf
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Creusot
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
| | - Nathalie Hinfray
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Unité Écotoxicologie In Vitro et In Vivo, UMR-I 02-SEBIO, Parc ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - William Bourguet
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale (CBS), Inserm, CNRS, Université Montpellier, 34290 Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
| | - François Brion
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Unité Écotoxicologie In Vitro et In Vivo, UMR-I 02-SEBIO, Parc ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
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Wheeler JR, Segner H, Weltje L, Hutchinson TH. Interpretation of sexual secondary characteristics (SSCs) in regulatory testing for endocrine activity in fish. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 240:124943. [PMID: 31574443 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Secondary sexual characteristics (SSCs) are important features that have evolved in many fish species because of inter-individual competition for mates. SSCs are crucial not only for sexual selection, but also for other components of the reproductive process and parental care. Externally, they are especially clear in males (for instance, tubercles, fatpad, anal finnage, colouration) but are also externally present in the females (for instance, ovipositor). These characters are under hormonal control and as such there has been much interest in incorporating them as measures in fish test methods to assess the potential endocrine activity of chemicals. Here we describe the external SSCs in typical laboratory test species for endocrine testing - fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.). We also provide some examples and discuss the utility of SSC responses to the endocrine activity of chemicals in the field and the laboratory. This paper is not aimed to provide a comprehensive review of SSCs in fish but presents a view on the assessment of SSCs in regulatory testing. Due to the current regulatory importance of establishing an endocrine mode-of-action for chemicals, we also consider other, non-endocrine factors that may lead to SSC responses in fish. We conclude with recommendations for how the assessment of SSCs in fish could be usefully incorporated into the endocrine hazard and risk assessment of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Wheeler
- Shell Health, Shell International B.V., Carel van Bylandtlaan 16, 2596, HR, The Hague, the Netherlands.
| | - Helmut Segner
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Laenggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117, Limburgerhof, Germany.
| | - Thomas H Hutchinson
- Plymouth University, School of Life Sciences, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
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12
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Šauer P, Tumová J, Steinbach C, Golovko O, Komen H, Maillot-Maréchal E, Máchová J, Grabic R, Aït-Aïssa S, Kocour Kroupová H. Chronic simultaneous exposure of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from embryonic to juvenile stage to drospirenone and gestodene at low ng/L level caused intersex. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 188:109912. [PMID: 31706240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic progestins are emerging contaminants of the aquatic environment with endocrine disrupting potential. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the synthetic progestins gestodene, and drospirenone on sex differentiation in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by histological analysis. To gain insights into the mechanisms behind the observations from the in vivo experiment on sex differentiation, we analyzed expression of genes involved in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) and hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes, histology of hepatopancreas, and in vitro bioassays. Carp were continuously exposed to concentrations of 2 ng/L of single progestins (gestodene or drospirenone) or to their mixture at concentration 2 ng/L of each. The exposure started 24 h after fertilization of eggs and concluded 160 days post-hatching. Our results showed that exposure of common carp to a binary mixture of drospirenone and gestodene caused increased incidence of intersex (32%) when compared to clean water and solvent control groups (both 3%). Intersex most probably was induced by a combination of multiple modes of action of the studied substances, namely anti-gonadotropic activity, interference with androgen receptor, and potentially also with HPT axis or estrogen receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Šauer
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Jitka Tumová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Christoph Steinbach
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Oksana Golovko
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Vodňany, Czech Republic; Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Komen
- Wageningen University, Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Emmanuelle Maillot-Maréchal
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Unité d'Ecotoxicologie in vitro et in vivo, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Jana Máchová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Grabic
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Selim Aït-Aïssa
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Unité d'Ecotoxicologie in vitro et in vivo, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Hana Kocour Kroupová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
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13
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Shi WJ, Ma DD, Jiang YX, Xie L, Zhang JN, Huang GY, Chen HX, Hou LP, Liu YS, Ying GG. Medroxyprogesterone acetate affects sex differentiation and spermatogenesis in zebrafish. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 212:70-76. [PMID: 31077968 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is a widely used synthetic progestin and it has been frequently detected in aquatic environments. However, its effects on aquatic organisms remain largely unknown. Here we investigated the chronic effects of MPA on sex differentiation and gonad development in zebrafish. Zebrafish larvae at 20 days post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to 4.32, 42.0, and 424 ng L-1 of MPA until they reached 140 dpf. The results showed that chronic exposure to 42.0 ng L-1 of MPA caused 60% proportion of males as well as significant up-regulation of dmrt1 (˜1.79 fold) and hsd17b3 (˜1.92 fold). Histological analysis showed MPA significantly increased the frequency of immature spermatocytes accompanied with the increased transcription of dmrt1 (˜2.06 fold) and ar (˜1.73 fold) in the testes. Meanwhile, MPA exposure significantly increased the transcription of lhb at all exposure concentrations in the males. In contrast, it significantly suppressed the transcription of lhb (˜-8.06-fold) and fshb (˜-6.35-fold) at 42.0 ng L-1 in the females. Collectively our results demonstrated that MPA had androgenic activity, and could affect sex differentiation and spermatogenesis in zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations. The findings from this study suggest that MPA in the aquatic environment may pose potential androgenic risks to fish populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jun Shi
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Dong-Dong Ma
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yu-Xia Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jin-Na Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Guo-Yong Huang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hong-Xing Chen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Li-Ping Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - You-Sheng Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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14
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Steinbach C, Císař P, Šauer P, Klicnarová J, Schmidt-Posthaus H, Golovko O, Kocour Kroupová H. Synthetic progestin etonogestrel negatively affects mating behavior and reproduction in Endler's guppies (Poecilia wingei). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 663:206-215. [PMID: 30711587 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
High rates of progestins consumption in the form of active ingredients in women's oral contraceptives and other hormonal preparations may lead to their increased concentrations in aquatic environments and subsequent harmful effect on fish reproduction. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of etonogestrel, a third-generation synthetic progestin, on the reproductive behavior, fertility, gonads histology, and secondary sexual characteristics of male and female Endler's guppies (Poecilia wingei). Fish were subjected for 34 days to two concentrations of etonogestrel, including one possibly environmentally relevant (3.2 ng L-1) and one sublethal (320 ng L-1) concentration. A mating behavior study was subsequently conducted and revealed that the treatment with etonogestrel significantly reduced mating frequency in the exposed fish compared to controls. All the exposed females were unable to reproduce. In addition, female fish exposed to the highest level of etonogestrel were masculinized, as their anal fins and body coloration showed patterns similar to those of male fish. Etonogestrel-exposed females also had fewer developed oocytes. In conclusion, the low etonogestrel concentration (3.2 ng L-1) led to a reduction of mating activity in males without effect on their reproductive success, but it completely inhibited reproduction in females. Exposure to etonogestrel clearly has more severe consequences for females than males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Steinbach
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Císař
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Šauer
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Klicnarová
- Faculty of Economics, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 13, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Heike Schmidt-Posthaus
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Oksana Golovko
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Kocour Kroupová
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
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15
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Saaristo M, Johnstone CP, Xu K, Allinson M, Wong BBM. The endocrine disruptor, 17α-ethinyl estradiol, alters male mate choice in a freshwater fish. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 208:118-125. [PMID: 30658282 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Among the handful of studies on the behavioural effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), only a few have set out to disentangle the mechanisms underpinning behavioural changes. In fish, previous studies have shown that both visual and chemical cues play an important role in mate choice. As such, contaminant-induced changes in either transmission or perception of mate choice cues could have direct implications for individual's fitness. One widespread contaminant of environmental concern is 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen used in the contraceptive pill. Here, we investigated the impacts of EE2 exposure (28 days; measured concentration 14 ng/L) on visual and chemical communication in wild guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Using a standard dichotomous mate choice assay, we first gave individual males (either control or EE2-exposed) the opportunity to court two size-matched females (one control and one EE2-exposed) using only visual cues. We then introduced chemical cues of females (control and EE2-exposed) to the trial tank. We found that there was no significant effect of EE2-treatment on total time males spent associating with the females, when given only visual cues. There was, however, a significant effect on male courtship behaviour, with both control and EE2-exposed males spending more time performing 'sigmoid' displays towards the visual cues of control females compared to EE2-exposed females. When males were presented with both visual and chemical female cues simultaneously, we found that males spent more time courting control females that were paired with EE2-chemical cues. Not only does our study uncover a previously unknown behavioural impact of EE2-exposure on chemical cues, but demonstrates that EE2-exposure can exert complex effects on visual and chemical communication in a mate choice context. Finally, we contribute to the discussion of intraspecific variability by providing data on the potential trade-offs underpinning contaminant-induced behavioural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Saaristo
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
| | | | - Kun Xu
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Mayumi Allinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Hou L, Chen S, Chen H, Ying G, Chen D, Liu J, Liang Y, Wu R, Fang X, Zhang C, Xie L. Rapid masculinization and effects on the liver of female western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) by norethindrone. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 216:94-102. [PMID: 30359922 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Natural and synthetic progestins in receiving streams can disrupt the normal endocrine systems of fish. Norethindrone (NET) is a widely used synthetic progestin that often appears in wastewater effluents. For this research, adult female western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were exposed to NET at three concentrations. The effects of NET on the following biological factors were evaluated: the histology of the ovaries and livers, the anal fin morphology, and transcription of genes related to steroidogenesis signaling pathways in the livers. After 42 d exposure to NET at 33.0 ng L-1 and 347.5 ng L-1, rapid masculinization, an increase in the number of atretic and postovulatory follicles in the ovary, enhanced vascularization, degenerated hepatocytes and irregular nuclei in the livers were observed. Exposure to NET did not affect the expression of the androgenic and estrogenic receptor genes and Cyp19a except for a significant up-regulation of Erα. However, the expression of Vtg A, Vtg B, and Vtg C were markedly inhibited in the females exposed to three concentrations of NET. Compared to the control female, exposure to NET at 33.0 ng L-1 and 347.5 ng L-1 caused a 4.4- and 5.8-fold increase in the expression of Hsd17β3 in the livers, respectively. The results demonstrate that NET can cause rapid masculinization of female G. affinis, hepatopathological alterations and inhibited expressions of Vtg A, Vtg B, and Vtg C. The results imply that G. affinis populations might be threatened in NET-contaminated environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Shangduo Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Hongxing Chen
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guangguo Ying
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Diyun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Juan Liu
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Waters Safety & Protection in the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ye Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Rongrong Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Xuwen Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Cuiping Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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17
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Hou LP, Chen H, Tian CE, Shi WJ, Liang Y, Wu RR, Fang XW, Zhang CP, Liang YQ, Xie L. The progestin norethindrone affects sex differentiation and alters transcriptional profiles of genes along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes in juvenile zebrafish Dario renio. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 201:31-39. [PMID: 29859405 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Natural and synthetic progestins may pose a threat to wild fish populations living in receiving waters. In this study, the effects of norethindrone (NET) on the sex differentiation of zebrafish (Dario renio) and the mechanisms underlying these effects were investigated. Juvenile zebrafish (20 days post fertilization, pdf) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations (5, 50, 500, and 1000 ng L-1) for 45 d. Sex ratio of the NET-exposed populations, the histology of the gonads and the transcriptional profile of the regulatory genes involved in sex differentiation and steroidogenesis were examined. The results showed that a significantly higher ratio of male/female was induced in the zebrafish populations exposed to NET at concentrations higher than 32.3 ng L-1. Exposure to NET caused acceleration of sexual mature in males and a delay in ovary maturation in female zebrafish. Among the genes regulating sexual differentiation, transcripts of Dmrt1 showed a dose-dependent increase while transcripts of Figa and Fox12 showed a dose-dependent decrease in response to exposure to NET. For genes regulating the steroidogenesis, the expressions of Cyp11a1, Cyp17, Cyp19a1a, and Cyp11b were significantly down-regulated by exposure to NET, while Hsd17b3 expression was significantly up-regulated by exposure to NET at 421.3 and 892.9 ng L-1. For the receptor genes in the gonads, the transcriptional expression of Pgr, Ar, and Mr was significantly up-regulated at 421.3 and 892.9 ng L-1 of NET. For genes involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, the transcriptional expression of Gnrh3 and Pomc was significantly up-regulated by exposure to NET with the exception for Gnrh3 at 4.2 ng L-1. The results demonstrated that exposure to NET at the juvenile stage could affect gonad differentiation and sex ratio, which might be accounted for by the alterations of the transcriptional expressions of genes along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hongxing Chen
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chang-En Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Wen-Jun Shi
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ye Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Rong-Rong Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xu-Wen Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Cui-Ping Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yan-Qiu Liang
- Faculty of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Guangdong Ocean Universtiy, Zhangjiang, 524088, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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18
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Hou LP, Chen H, Tian CE, Liang Y, Wu RR, Zhang XM, Fang XW, Zhang CP, Hu JJ, Song LY, Liang YQ, Schlenk D, Xie L. Alterations of secondary sex characteristics, reproductive histology and behaviors by norgestrel in the western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 198:224-230. [PMID: 29558707 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic hormones in wastewater effluents released into the aquatic environments may interfere with the normal endocrine systems of fish in receiving streams. Norgestrel (NGT) is a synthetic progestin widely used in oral contraceptives and frequently detected in wastewater effluents. In this study, adult female mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were exposed to three environmentally relevant concentrations of norgestrel (NGT) (i.e., 3.6, 35.8, and 368.0 ng L-1) for 42 d, fin morphology, histology of the ovary, and reproductive behaviors were evaluated. The results showed that NGT at all three concentrations caused an increased frequency of atretic follicular cells in ovaries and impaired mating behaviors exhibited by males toward the NGT-exposed females. In mosquitofish exposed to NGT at 35.8 and 368 ng L-1, the anal fin of females had an increased length ratio of ray4/ray 6, an increased width of ray 3, and increased number of segments in ray 3. The histopathological analysis showed that exposure to NGT increased the incidence of spermatogenesis in ovaries. Mating behavior was impaired 58.4%, 65.7%, and 76.4% (P < 0.01 in all cases) when mosquitofish were exposed to NGT at 3.6, 35.6 and 368.0 ng L-1, respectively. The rapid masculinization, the increased frequency of atretic follicles, the incidence of spermatogenesis in the ovary of female fish, and the altered reproductive behaviors suggest that wild populations of mosquitofish could be similarly affected inhabiting in NGT contaminated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Hongxing Chen
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Chang-En Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China.
| | - Ye Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Rong-Rong Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Xing-Mei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Xu-Wen Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Cui-Ping Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Jun-Jie Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Li-Ying Song
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Yan-Qiu Liang
- Faculty of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, PR China
| | - Daniel Schlenk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Lingtian Xie
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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19
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Frankel T, Yonkos L, Ampy F, Frankel J. Exposure to levonorgestrel increases nest acquisition success and decreases sperm motility in the male fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:1131-1137. [PMID: 29215767 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Progestins are utilized as a component of human contraceptives, and commonly enter the environment via wastewater treatment plant effluent. Certain progestins activate fish androgen receptors and cause decreases in fecundity and masculinization of females. We used a nest acquisition assay and computer-assisted sperm analysis to examine the effects of levonorgestrel on male fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) reproductive fitness. Males were exposed to 0, 10, or 100 ng/L levonorgestrel for 14 d. Combinations of a control male and a male from one of the treatments were placed into a competitive nesting assay, and the time each male spent holding the nest and time spent exhibiting aggressive behaviors were analyzed at 48 h postexposure. Semen samples were analyzed for total motility, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, linearity, beat cross frequency, and wobble at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s postactivation. Males exposed to either 10 or 100 ng/L of levonorgestrel exhibited increased nest acquisition success and lower levels of aggression compared with control-control pairings, as well as decreases in multiple sperm motion characteristics. Our results suggest that further research is required to ascertain the effects of levonorgestrel on male gamete quality and reproductive behaviors. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1131-1137. © 2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Frankel
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lance Yonkos
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Franklin Ampy
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jack Frankel
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
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20
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Fort DJ, Mathis MB, Guiney PD, Weeks JA. Inhibition of germinal vesicle breakdown in Xenopus oocytes in vitro by a series of substituted glycol ethers. J Appl Toxicol 2017; 38:628-637. [PMID: 29205417 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
A 24 hour in vitro Xenopus oocyte maturation (germinal vesicle breakdown [GVBD]) assay developed by Pickford and Morris (Environmental Health Perspectives, 1999, 107, 285-292) was used to screen a series of substituted glycol ethers (GEs). Substituted GEs included: ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME); EG monoethyl ether (EGEE); EG monopropyl ether (EGPE); EG monobutyl ether (EGBE); EG monohexyl ether (EGHE); diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (DGME); triethylene glycol monomethyl ether (TGME); ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (EGPhE); EG monobenzyl ether (EGBeE); EG diphenyl ether (EGDPhE); and propylene glycol monophenyl ether (PGPhE). The GEs inhibited progesterone- or androstenedione-induced GVBD with the following relative potency: EGPhE > PGPhE > EGME >> EGEE ≥ EGBeE > EGPE >> EGBE >EGHE > EGDPhE >> DGME ≥ TGME, or EGPhE >> PGPhE >> EGBeE > EGDPhE > EGEE > EGME > EGPE > EGBE, EGHE, DGME and TGME, respectively. Further, [3 H]progesterone or [3 H]androstenedione binding affinities to the oocyte plasma membrane progesterone receptor (OMPR) or classical androgen receptor (AR) were: EGME > EGPhE ≥ PGPhE ≥ EGEE > EGBeE >> EGPE >> EGBE ≥ EGHE > EGDPhE, TGME, and DGME, or EGPhE > PGPhE >> EGBeE > EGDPhE >> EGEE ≥ EGME >> EGPE, EGBE, and EGHE > DGME and TGME, respectively. Binary joint mixture studies with the GVBD model using flutamide (AR antagonist) and EGPhE indicated that flutamide/EGPhE mixture acted in a concentration additive manner. The effects of substituted GE series, however, may be mediated through the OMPR; the potency of EGPhE may be the result of bimodal inhibition of both the OMPR and AR pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Fort
- Fort Environmental Laboratories, Inc., Stillwater, OK, USA
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Frankel T, Yonkos L, Frankel J. Exposure effects of levonorgestrel on oogenesis in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:3299-3304. [PMID: 28681975 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The synthetic progestin levonorgestrel is commonly utilized in human oral contraceptives. It enters the environment as a component of wastewater treatment plant effluent, and has been measured at low ng/L concentrations in surface waters. It has been shown to activate fish androgen receptors, causing the physical masculinization of females, changes in reproductive behavior, and decreases in fecundity. In the present study, the effects of levonorgestrel exposure on early-stage oogenesis in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) was examined. Adult females were exposed to 0, 10, or 100 ng/L levonorgestrel for 14 d using a flow-through exposure system. The ovaries from each female were then removed via dissection and weighed for gonadosomatic index (GSI) calculations, and oocytes from one lobe preserved in Serra's fixative. Total numbers of late-stage vitellogenic oocytes exhibiting a germinal vesicle were then quantified. In a second exposure, blood plasma samples were collected from adult females and analyzed for vitellogenin concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Females exposed to both concentrations of levonorgestrel developed male secondary sexual characteristics in a dose-dependent manner, and ovaries contained significantly fewer late stage oocytes. Exposure to 100 ng/L of levonorgestrel resulted in decreased GSI and blood plasma vitellogenin concentrations. The results suggest that female exposure to levonorgestrel alone may have profound effects on reproduction in progestin-contaminated environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3299-3304. © 2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Frankel
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lance Yonkos
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Jack Frankel
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
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22
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Pflug NC, Hankard MK, Berg SM, O'Connor M, Gloer JB, Kolodziej EP, Cwiertny DM, Wammer KH. Environmental photochemistry of dienogest: phototransformation to estrogenic products and increased environmental persistence via reversible photohydration. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2017; 19:1414-1426. [PMID: 29034382 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00346c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Potent trienone and dienone steroid hormones undergo a coupled photohydration (in light)-thermal dehydration (in dark) cycle that ultimately increases their environmental persistence. Here, we studied the photolysis of dienogest, a dienone progestin prescribed as a next-generation oral contraceptive, and used high resolution mass spectrometry and both 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify its phototransformation products. Dienogest undergoes rapid direct photolysis (t1/2 ∼ 1-10 min), forming complex photoproduct mixtures across the pH range examined (pH 2 to 7). Identified products include three photohydrates that account for ∼80% of the converted mass at pH 7 and revert back to parent dienogest in the absence of light. Notably, we also identified two estrogenic compounds produced via the A-ring aromatization of dienogest, evidence for a photochemically-induced increase in estrogenic activity in product mixtures. These results imply that dienogest will undergo complete and facile photolytic transformation in sunlit surface water, yet exhibit greater environmental persistence than might be anticipated by inspection of kinetic rates. Photoproduct mixtures also include transformation products with different nuclear receptor binding capabilities than the parent compound dienogest. These outcomes reveal a dynamic fate and biological risk profile for dienogest that must also take into account the composition and endocrine activity of its transformation products. Collectively, this study further illustrates the need for more holistic regulatory, risk assessment, and monitoring approaches for high potency synthetic pharmaceuticals and their bioactive transformation products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Pflug
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Ziková A, Lorenz C, Hoffmann F, Kleiner W, Lutz I, Stöck M, Kloas W. Endocrine disruption by environmental gestagens in amphibians - A short review supported by new in vitro data using gonads of Xenopus laevis. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 181:74-82. [PMID: 28431277 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disruption caused by various anthropogenic compounds is of persisting concern, especially for aquatic wildlife, because surface waters are the main sink of these so-called endocrine disruptors (ED). In the past, research focused on (anti)estrogenic, (anti)androgenic, and (anti)thyroidal substances, affecting primarily reproduction and development in vertebrates; however, other endocrine systems might be also targeted by ED. Environmental gestagens, including natural progestogens (e.g. progesterone (P4)) and synthetic progestins used for contraception, are supposed to affect vertebrate reproduction via progesterone receptors. In the present paper, we review the current knowledge about gestagenic effects in amphibians, focussing on reproduction and the thyroid system. In addition, we support the literature data with results of recent in vitro experiments, demonstrating direct impacts of the gestagens levonorgestrel (LNG) and P4 on sexually differentiated gonads of larval Xenopus laevis. The results showed a higher susceptibility of female over male gonads to gestagenic ED. Only in female gonads LNG, but not P4, had direct inhibitory effects on gene expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and P450 side chain cleavage enzyme, whereas aromatase expression decreased in reaction to both gestagens. Surprisingly, beyond the expected ED effects of gestagens on reproductive physiology in amphibians, LNG drastically disrupted the thyroid system, which resembles direct effects on thyroid glands and pituitary along the pituitary-thyroid axis disturbing metamorphic development. In amphibians, environmental gestagens not only affect the reproductive system but at least LNG can impact also development by disruption of the thyroid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ziková
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Claudia Lorenz
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frauke Hoffmann
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wibke Kleiner
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilka Lutz
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Stöck
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Werner Kloas
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany; Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Rosenfeld CS, Denslow ND, Orlando EF, Gutierrez-Villagomez JM, Trudeau VL. Neuroendocrine disruption of organizational and activational hormone programming in poikilothermic vertebrates. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2017; 20:276-304. [PMID: 28895797 PMCID: PMC6174081 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2017.1370083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, sexual differentiation of the reproductive system and brain is tightly orchestrated by organizational and activational effects of endogenous hormones. In mammals and birds, the organizational period is typified by a surge of sex hormones during differentiation of specific neural circuits; whereas activational effects are dependent upon later increases in these same hormones at sexual maturation. Depending on the reproductive organ or brain region, initial programming events may be modulated by androgens or require conversion of androgens to estrogens. The prevailing notion based upon findings in mammalian models is that male brain is sculpted to undergo masculinization and defeminization. In absence of these responses, the female brain develops. While timing of organizational and activational events vary across taxa, there are shared features. Further, exposure of different animal models to environmental chemicals such as xenoestrogens such as bisphenol A-BPA and ethinylestradiol-EE2, gestagens, and thyroid hormone disruptors, broadly classified as neuroendocrine disrupting chemicals (NED), during these critical periods may result in similar alterations in brain structure, function, and consequently, behaviors. Organizational effects of neuroendocrine systems in mammals and birds appear to be permanent, whereas teleost fish neuroendocrine systems exhibit plasticity. While there are fewer NED studies in amphibians and reptiles, data suggest that NED disrupt normal organizational-activational effects of endogenous hormones, although it remains to be determined if these disturbances are reversible. The aim of this review is to examine how various environmental chemicals may interrupt normal organizational and activational events in poikilothermic vertebrates. By altering such processes, these chemicals may affect reproductive health of an animal and result in compromised populations and ecosystem-level effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S. Rosenfeld
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, Columbia, MO, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nancy D. Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Edward F. Orlando
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Vance L. Trudeau
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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