Title: Oestrogenic Endocrine Disruption in fish - developing biological effect measurement tools and generating hazard data
Author: K. Thorpe
Author: C.T. Tyler
Author: Environment Agency
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: Environment Agency Project ID:EAPRJOUT_1116, Representation ID: 355, Object ID: 2381
Abstract:
The programme’s main aim was to develop a standardised test to assess the effects of endocrine active chemicals (EACs) on fish reproduction. EACs are compounds that can interfere with hormone systems and affect fish growth, development and/or reproduction. EACs that have a strong environmental relevance and that act in different ways were studied. They included the natural steroid, oestrone (E1), that acts as an oestrogen, a pesticide, linuron, that acts as an anti-androgen and a fungicide, fenarimol, that disrupts sex steroid biosynthesis by inhibiting the aromatase enzymes that convert testosterone into oestrogen. Hazard data were also generated for each of these chemicals to use in risk assessment. Another key aim was to find out whether specific biomarkers (for example, vitellogenin [VTG] and secondary sex characters [SSCs]) could reveal the mechanisms by which the selected EACs relate to reproductive health. This work also enabled conclusions to be drawn about how useful the selected biomarkers are for monitoring environmental discharges. The fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) was chosen for this work. As a member of the carp family, the fathead minnow represents a major part of the UK freshwater fisheries.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Subject Keywords: Fishes; Rivers; Endocrinological functions; Oestrogens; Research; Environmental monitoring; Pesticides; Brackishwater environment; Marine environment
Taxonomic Keywords: Pimephales promelas
Extent: 91
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:4628
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