Effects of p,p′-DDE exposure on gonadal development and gene expression in Japanese medaka （Oryzias latipes）

Although 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis（p-chlorophenyl）-ethylene （p,p′-DDE）, the major and most persistent metabolite of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane （DDT）, was continually detected in wild fishes that showed abnormal gonad development such as intersex, little is known about the impact of p,p′-DDE exposure on gonad development in fishes. To survey the effects of p,p′-DDE on gonadal development and gene expressions, male juvenile （20-d post hatch） Japanese medaka （Oryzias latipes） was exposed to 1, 5, 20, and 100 μg/L p,p′-DDE for two months. Increased hepatosomatic index （HSI） and decreased gonadosomatic index （GSI） were found in the p,p′-DDE-treated groups. Intersex was found in 100 μg/L p,p′-DDE exposure group, as well as 100 ng/L 17α-ethynylestradiol （EE2） group. By quantitative real-time RT-PCR, it was found that gene expressions of vitellogenins （VTG-1, VTG-2）, choriogenins （CHG-H, CHG-L）, and estrogen receptor α （ER-α） in the liver of the fish were significantly up-regulated by p,p′-DDE exposure. VTG-1 and VTG- 2 were recommended as the preferred biomarker for assessing anti-androgenic p,p′-DDE because they were the highest up-regulated among the genes and showed good dose-response relationship. The up-regulated ER-α suggested that a potential synergetic effect would occur when p,p′-DDE coexists with other ER-α-binding endocrine-disrupting chemicals （EDCs）.     

Effects of p,p'-DDE exposure on gonadal development and gene expression in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Although 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE),the major and most persistent metabolite of dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT),was continually detected in wild fishes that showed abnormal gonad development such as intersex,little is known about the impact of p,p'-DDE exposure on gonad development in fishes.To survey the effects of p,p'-DDE on gonadal development and gene expressions,male juvenile (20-d post hatch) Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) was exposed to 1,5,20,and 100 μg/L p,p'-DDE for two months.Increased hepatosomatic index (HSI) and decreased gonadosomatic index (GSI) were found in the p,p'-DDE-treated groups.Intersex was found in 100 μg/L p,p'-DDE exposure group,as well as 100 ng/L 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2)group.By quantitative real-time RT-PCR,it was found that gene expressions of vitellogenins (VTG-1,VTG-2),choriogenins (CHG-H,CHG-L),and estrogen receptor α (ER-α) in the liver of the fish were significantly up-regulated by p,p'-DDE exposure.VTC-1 and VTG-2 were recommended as the preferred biomarker for assessing anti-androgenic p,p'-DDE because they were the highest up-regulated among the genes and showed good dose-response relationship.The up-regulated ER-α suggested that a potential synergetic effect would occur when p,p'-DDE coexists with other ER-α-binding endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).     

Sewage-induced alterations in the sex of Oreochromis mossambicus: A plausible cue of endocrine disruption

Oreochromis mossambicus collected from Koraiyar, a tributary of the river Cauvery exhibited variations in their external genital features such as enlarged male genital papilla among equal sized fish, branching or budding in existing male genitalia, development of imposex (male genital papilla in female fish) and increased gonado-somatic index (GSI) and elevated male sex ratio in the population. All these variations at different levels is observed in their external genitalia indicated that they were all prompted towards maleness. This ambiguous sexual characteristic might be caused by endocrine disrupting environmental androgenic or anti-estrogenic substances, perhaps, present in the agrochemicals and sewage-mixed Koraiyar water.     

Sonographic genital ambiguity in a fetus due to a mosaic 45,X/46,X,idic(Y)(qter-p11.32::p11.32-qter) karyotype

Nowadays, improved ultrasound techniques enable the detection of more subtle congenital abnormalities at an earlier stage of fetal development. Current cytogenetic techniques can characterize a chromosomal abnormality in greater detail. These advancements in both diagnostic possibilities have helped to answer many questions but have also created new issues and dilemmas in counselling. This is illustrated by this case report of a 35-year-old woman, who presented at the end of the second trimester of her first pregnancy. Sonographic examination indicated an abnormal external genital in a male fetus. A differential diagnosis of hypospadia was made. During follow-up, an amniocentesis was performed, and this showed a 45,X/46,X,idic(Y)(qter-p11.32::p11.32-qter) karyotype as the cause of the sonographic findings. Cytogenetic characterization of the isodicentric Y chromosome and pre- and post-natal findings in the child are reported. Cases with a similar karyotype reported in the literature are reviewed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Testosterone levels in midtrimester maternal and fetal plasma and amniotic fluid

Testosterone was measured in maternal plasma (58 samples), amniotic fluid (71 samples) and fetal plasma (55 samples) in 79 patients between 15 and 23 weeks' gestation. Maternal plasma testosterone levels were unrelated to fetal sex. Amniotic fluid testosterone was significantly higher in male than female fetuses but did not reliably predict fetal sex. A correct diagnosis of fetal sex was made by testosterone assay of pure fetal plasma in 39 out of 40 males and in 15 out of 15 females using 1.70 nmol/1 as the cut-off value. This investigation is not the method of choice for routine fetal sexing but may be of value in fetuses suspected of having certain endocrine disorders.     

辽东湾海水中甾体雌激素的检测及生态风险评价

建立了SPE-丹酰化衍生-UPLC-MS/MS海水中雌激素的高灵敏度分析方法,对辽东湾海水中甾体雌激素的浓度水平及分布进行了调查并对其潜在的生态风险进行了评估.结果表明:辽东湾海水样品中检出雌酮,17β-雌二醇,17α-雌二醇,雌三醇和17α-乙炔基雌二醇的浓度分别为(0.714±0.407),(0.089±0.077),(0.009±0.011),(0.008±0.008),(0.001±0.003)ng/L.雌激素浓度在大辽河入海口区域最高,双台子河入海口次之,大凌河及小凌河入海口区域最低.辽东湾海水中的17β-雌二醇等当量浓度(EEQ-E2β)为0.562±0.327ng/L,导致野生梭鱼雌雄同体发生的概率约为0.83%,不足以解释该海域野生梭鱼雌雄同体的高发生率.为了有效管理该海域的环境安全,有必要对原因物质进行进一步解析.     

Assessing the estrogenic potency in a Portuguese wastewater treatment plant using an integrated approach

The estrogenic potency of a wastewater treatment plant(WWTP) was evaluated using chemical and biological analyses,which showed that after the station treatment processes some of the selected endocrine disruptor compounds(EDCs) were still present in the treated effuent(e.g.,bisphenol A,alkylphenols,estrone) .Thus,the most common endocrine EDCs were identified and quantified and the overall estrogenicity of the treated effuent assessed by integrating the results.Male goldfish(Carassius auratus) were used as biological indicators in a 28-day experiment.Vitellogenin(Vtg) ,gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices,steroids(17β-estradiol and 11-ketotestosterone) and histopathology were biomarkers used in fish to evaluate WWTP treated effuent estrogenicity,in combination with instrumental analyses.The results showed a significant increase(P0.01) in plasma and liver Vtg,which were significantly correlated(r=0.66;P0.01) .The gonadosmatic index was significantly(P0.01) reduced in exposed fish.The steroid analyses revealed significant elevations in 17β-estradiol and depressed 11-ketotestosterone concentrations.The histological examinations show changes in exposed fish gonads,such as regressed testes and in some cases(43%to 75%) the development of ovo-testis in fish exposed to 50% and 100% treated effuent.     

辽东湾野生四角蛤蜊性畸变调查

为揭示辽东湾近海海域环境内分泌干扰物(EDCs)的生物效应与潜在生态风险,利用组织学方法系统调查辽东湾近海海域野生四角蛤蜊性畸变发生情况,并利用GC-MS/MS分析了组织体内典型酚类污染物包括壬基酚(NP)、辛基酚(Op)和双酚A(BPA)的浓度水平.调查结果表明:5月、6月和8月野生四角蛤蜊雌雄同体发生率分别为30%,20%和14%,软体部组织中NP浓度则分别为410.70,254.95,227.15ng/g dw(干重), BPA浓度分别为7.60,4.30,7.05ng/gdw,但是没有检出OP.研究结果表明环境EDCs已经影响了辽东湾海洋生物繁殖系统、并对区域海洋生态系统造成潜在风险.