Effects of potential xenoestrogens (DEHP, nonylphenol and PCB) on sexual differentiation in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Authors

  • L. Norrgren Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7028, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
  • A. Blom Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7028, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
  • P.L. Andersson Institute of Environmental Chemistry, Umeå University, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
  • H. Börjeson Swedish Salmon Research Institute, Älvkarleby, S-814 94 Älvkarleby, Sweden
  • D.G.J. Larsson Department of Zoophysiology, Göteborg University, S-413 90 Göteborg, Sweden
  • P.-E. Olsson Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Umeå University, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden

Keywords:

Fish, Injection, Feeding, Liver, Estradiol

Abstract

The effects of 17β-estradiol and potential xenoestrogens were investigated on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Juvenile salmon fed diets containing 15 and 30 mg 17β-estradiol kg-1 food for 4 weeks after yolk-sac resorption differentiated into 88 and 100% phenotypic females, respectively. The reference group, fed uncontaminated food, consisted of 49% females. A significant overrepresentation of phenotypic females (64%) was recorded in the group fed 1500 mg di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate kg-1 food. Atlantic salmon fed diets contaminated with nonylphenol showed no differences in sex ratios compared with the control group. A significantly increased liver somatic index was detected for groups exposed to diets contaminated with 15 and 30 mg 17β-estradiol, 300 mg nonylphenol or 1500 mg di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate kg-1 food.

Intraperitoneal injections of nonylphenol, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, or polychlorinated biphenyls 58, 104, 112 and 188 did not induce synthesis of vitellogenin which is considered to be a hallmark for estrogenic activity in in vivo testing. Therefore, in vivo assays, that is, intraperitoneal injection, can not always predict how endocrine processes in organisms are affected by pollutants.

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Published

1999-01-01

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (1999): Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management

Section

Research article

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