Short-Term Exposure to 17Α-ETHYNYLESTRADIOL Decreases the Fertility of Sexually Maturing Male Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) (original) (raw)

Reduced embryonic survival in rainbow trout resulting from paternal exposure to the environmental estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol during late sexual maturation

2007

Exposure of fishes to environmental estrogens is known to affect sexual development and spawning, but little information exists regarding effects on gametes. This study evaluated embryonic survival of offspring from male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to 17a-ethynylestradiol (EE 2) using an in vitro fertilization protocol. Males were exposed at either 1800 or 6700 degree days (8d) (i.e. 161 or 587 days post-fertilization (dpf)) to test for effects on testes linked to reproductive ontogeny. At 18008d, fish were beginning testicular differentiation and were exposed to 109 ng EE 2 /l for 21 days. At 67008d, fish have testes containing spermatocytes and spermatids and were exposed for 56 days to either 0.8, 8.3, or 65 ng EE 2 /l. Semen was collected at full sexual maturity in each group and used to fertilize eggs pooled from several non-exposed females. Significant decreases in embryonic survival were observed only with the 67008d exposure. In 0.8 and 8.3 ng EE 2 /l treatments, embryo survival was significantly reduced at 19 dpf when compared with the control. In contrast, an immediate decrease in embryonic survival at 0.5 dpf was observed in the 65 ng EE 2 /l treatment. Blood samples collected at spawning from 67008d exposed males revealed a significant decrease in 11-ketotestosterone and a significant increase in luteinizing hormone levels for the 65 ng EE 2 /l treatment when compared with the other treatment groups. Results indicate that sexually maturing male rainbow trout are susceptible to EE 2 exposure with these fish exhibiting two possible mechanisms of reduced embryonic survival through sperm varying dependant on EE 2 exposure concentrations experienced.

Reduced embryonic survival in rainbow trout resulting from paternal exposure to the environmental estrogen 17 -ethynylestradiol during late sexual maturation

Reproduction, 2007

Exposure of fishes to environmental estrogens is known to affect sexual development and spawning, but little information exists regarding effects on gametes. This study evaluated embryonic survival of offspring from male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) using anin vitrofertilization protocol. Males were exposed at either 1800 or 6700 degree days (°d) (i.e. 161 or 587 days post-fertilization (dpf)) to test for effects on testes linked to reproductive ontogeny. At 1800°d, fish were beginning testicular differentiation and were exposed to 109 ng EE2/l for 21 days. At 6700° d, fish have testes containing spermatocytes and spermatids and were exposed for 56 days to either 0.8, 8.3, or 65 ng EE2/l. Semen was collected at full sexual maturity in each group and used to fertilize eggs pooled from several non-exposed females. Significant decreases in embryonic survival were observed only with the 6700°d exposure. In 0.8 and 8.3 ng EE2/l treatments, emb...

Aneuploid sperm formation in rainbow trout exposed to the environmental estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2008

Environmental contaminants that mimic native estrogens (i.e., environmental estrogens) are known to significantly impact a wide range of vertebrate species and have been implicated as a source for increasing human male reproductive deficiencies and diseases. Despite the widespread occurrence of environmental estrogens and recognized detrimental effects on male vertebrate reproduction, no specific mechanism has been determined indicating how reduced fertility and/or fecundity is achieved. Previous studies show that male rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, exposed to the environmental estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) before gamete formation and fertilization produce progeny with significantly reduced embryonic survival. To determine whether this observed decrease results from sperm chromosome alterations during spermatogenesis, male rainbow trout were exposed to 10 ng of EE2/l for 50 days. After exposure, semen was collected and sperm aneuploidy levels analyzed with two chromosome m...

Toxicity of 2 pg ethynylestradiol in brown trout embryos ( Salmo trutta )

2017

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are a threat to natural fish populations in the aquatic environment. Their toxicity is usually discussed relative to concentrations in the water the fish are exposed to. In the case of the synthetic compound 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a common and persistent estrogen, concentrations around 1 ng/L have repeatedly been found to induce toxic effects in fish. Here, we used brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) from a natural population to study EE2 take up and how it affects early life-history. We collected adults during the spawning season, produced 730 families in vitro (to control for potential maternal and paternal effects on embryo stress tolerance), and singly raised 7,300 embryos (in a 2 mL static system) that were either exposed to one dose of EE2 at 1 ng/L (i.e., 2 pg/embryo) or sham-treated. We found that EE2 concentration did not significantly change over a period of 3 months in control containers without embryos. Embryos took up most of the 2 pg E...

Lack of a heritable reproductive defect in the offspring of male rainbow trout exposed to the environmental estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol

Aquatic Toxicology, 2009

Endocrine disruptors, including environmental estrogens, have been shown to induce heritable effects through both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in mammals. Despite this information and the wealth of knowledge regarding the significant reproductive impacts endocrine disruptors impose on fishes, no studies have reported whether the observed effects are heritable. Without this information it is difficult to establish the long-term consequences for exposed populations. To determine potential consequences of long-term effects we must consider the possibility that induced reproductive defects in fishes may be heritable. Using rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a model this study aims to determine whether a specific reproductive defect observed in 17α-ethynylestradiol exposed male parents, diminished progeny survival, is heritable in the unexposed surviving F1 males. Semen was collected from anesthetized males of the F1 generation upon sexual maturation at two time-points, one year old precocious males and two years old males. In vitro fertilization was used to produce an F2 generation. F2 embryos were then analyzed for survival at 19 days post-fertilization (eye pigmentation) and the different treatment groups statistically compared to the controls. Analysis indicated that F2 offspring survival from F1 males propagated from both exposed and unexposed parents survive normally and no heritable effect was observed in males from the F1 generation for this specific reproductive defect. These results provide scope for the recovery of fish populations exposed to environmental estrogens should the contaminant be removed.

Assessing the Effects of Endocrine Disrupters (EDCs) from a St. Paul Sewage Treatment Plant on Sperm Viability and Testicular Development in Fish: Adding a New Dimension to an Existing Project

compounds found in the effluent of the St. Paul (Minnesota) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) experience sex reversal and suffer from reduced sperm viability as a result of exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). This study was part of a larger effort to identify the effects of endocrine disrupters on the reproductive health of fish populations. EDCs are man-made or naturally occurring compounds that are found in the environment and disrupt hormonal pathways causing harm to the exposed organisms or their offspring. Previous studies in the United Kingdom have demonstrated that STP effluent is resulting in feminized male fish with abnormal reproductive organs. One defining characteristic of male fish exposed to STP effluent in the UK, as well as wild carp and walleye captured below the St. Paul STP (our study site), is that they contain high concentrations of vitellogenin (VTG: female egg-yolk protein) in their blood. However, no study has examined whether there might be a corre...

Lack of a heritable reproductive defect in the offspring of male rainbow trout exposed to the environmental estrogen 17 [alpha]-ethynylestradiol

2009

Endocrine disruptors, including environmental estrogens, have been shown to induce heritable effects through both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in mammals. Despite this information and the wealth of knowledge regarding the significant reproductive impacts endocrine disruptors impose on fishes, no studies have reported whether the observed effects are heritable. Without this information it is difficult to establish the long-term consequences for exposed populations. To determine potential consequences of long-term effects we must consider the possibility that induced reproductive defects in fishes may be heritable. Using rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a model this study aims to determine whether a specific reproductive defect observed in 17α-ethynylestradiol exposed male parents, diminished progeny survival, is heritable in the unexposed surviving F1 males. Semen was collected from anesthetized males of the F1 generation upon sexual maturation at two time-points, one year old precocious males and two years old males. In vitro fertilization was used to produce an F2 generation. F2 embryos were then analyzed for survival at 19 days post-fertilization (eye pigmentation) and the different treatment groups statistically compared to the controls. Analysis indicated that F2 offspring survival from F1 males propagated from both exposed and unexposed parents survive normally and no heritable effect was observed in males from the F1 generation for this specific reproductive defect. These results provide scope for the recovery of fish populations exposed to environmental estrogens should the contaminant be removed.

Sensitivity of brown trout reproduction to long-term estrogenic exposure

Aquatic Toxicology, 2008

A decline in brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) catches has been reported in Switzerland, but at present the causative factors have not been clearly identified. Estrogen-active endocrine disrupters (EEDs) have been suggested as one possible explanation, since they are widespread in the aquatic environment and often found at elevated concentrations.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals and sexual behaviors in fish – a critical review on effects and possible consequences

Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 2012

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) enter aquatic ecosystems through discharged effluents, mainly from wastewater treatment works and diffuse run off from land, and affect a wide range of aquatic biota, including fish. Evidence for altered physiology in fish as a consequence of endocrine disruption is global, with some of the most widely reported effects on sexual development and function. In recent years research has shown that fish behaviors can also be affected by EDCs which potentially has wide implications for individual fitness and population level outcomes. This review presents a critical assessment on reported effects of EDCs on behavior in fish, focusing on behaviors associated with reproduction. We investigate commonalities and differences in sexual behaviors between fish species most commonly applied in ecotoxicology, drawing out common principles for impacts of EDCs and then reviewing the evidence for, and implications of, disruptions of these behaviors after exposures to EDCs. In an analysis of the reported effects of exposure to the estrogen, ethinylestradiol, we show that life-stage at exposure is a key factor determining behavioral responses of affected populations. EDC-induced changes in behavior occur at similar concentrations as for established biomarker responses (e.g. vitellogenin induction for estrogens), indicating behavior is equally sensitive (and non-invasive) as an indicator of EDC exposure. Adopting behaviors in fish as indicators of chemical exposure and effects, however, still has many technical and interpretation challenges and there is very little information available on how behaviors under laboratory conditions equate with those occurring in wild populations.

Feminization, altered gonadal development, and liver damage in least killifish (Heterandria formosa) exposed to sublethal concentrations of 17α-ethinylestradiol

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2019

The widespread use of the synthetic estrogen 17 α-ethinylestradiol (EE 2) has resulted in elevated levels in aquatic environments, where it is known to act as an endocrine disrupting chemical affecting fish and other aquatic organisms. Examining changes in the structure of the fish' gonads and liver has proven to be an effective approach for assessing these impacts. While changes have been reported for various fish species, it is not clear whether impacts are equally severe in live-bearing fishes. The present study looked at gonadal and liver development in EE 2-exposed least killifish (Heterandria formosa), a live-bearing Poeciliid. Exposures to 0, 5, or 25 ng/L EE 2 began within six days of birth and continued until fish became sexually mature 12-23 weeks later. Exposure to 5 ng/L EE 2 resulted in severe intersex in fish with external male characteristics, a slowdown of spermatogenesis in these intersex fish and a slowdown of oogenesis in the female fish. Moreover, these fish had a variety of liver injuries. Fish exposed to 25 ng/L EE 2 exhibited intersex but at a lower frequency than occurred at 5 ng/L. In contrast, liver damage and slowdown of both oogenesis and spermatogenesis exhibited the typical dose-dependence. These findings illustrate the importance of including histological analyses when assessing endocrine disruption in fish, demonstrate that the live-bearing mode of reproduction appears to provide limited protection from the effects of waterborne EE 2 , and provide further evidence that EE 2 has multiple impacts on fish health and reproduction that are severe enough to potentially affect fish populations.