Inhibition of testicular growth in rainbow trout <i>(Oncorhynchus mykiss)</i> exposed to estrogenic alkylphenolic chemicals

TLDR

Industrial and agricultural chemicals, especially alkylphenol polyethoxylates, are increasingly recognized as estrogenic pollutants that bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Exposure of male rainbow trout to alkylphenolic chemicals induced vitellogenin production and suppressed testicular growth, with effects scaling with chemical potency, developmental stage, and concentration, underscoring the reproductive harm of persistent estrogenic pollutants.

Abstract

Abstract It is becoming evident that an increasing number of widely used industrial and agricultural chemicals are estrogenic. The biodegradation products of a major group of nonionic surfactants, the alkylphenol polyethoxylates, are one such group. Some of these chemicals are widespread aquatic pollutants, and bioconcentrate in aquatic biota. Exposure of male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to four different alkylphenolic chemicals caused synthesis of vitellogenin, a process normally dependent on endogenous estrogens, and a concomitant inhibition of testicular growth. The magnitude of these estrogenic effects was dependent on the estrogenic potency of the chemical, the stage of reproductive development of the fish, and the concentration of the chemical in the water. These results support the contention that exposure of wildlife to environmentally persistent estrogenic chemicals can result in deleterious reproductive consequences.