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Do Laboratory Species Protect Endangered Species? Interspecies Variation in Responses to 17β-Estradiol, a Model Endocrine Active Compound

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Abstract

Although the effects of estrogens on model laboratory species are well documented, their utility as surrogates for other species, including those listed as endangered, are less clear. Traditionally, conservation policies are evaluated based on model organism responses but are intended to protect all species in an environment. We tested the hypothesis that the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) is more vulnerable to endocrine disruption—as assessed through its larval predator-escape performance, survival, juvenile sex ratios, and whole-body vitellogenin concentration—than the commonly used toxicological model species fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Fish were exposed concurrently for 21 days to the model endocrine active compound (EAC) 17ß-estradiol (E2) at 10 ng E2/L and 30 ng E2/L in a flow-through system using reconstituted water that simulated the physicochemical conditions of the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico, USA. No significant differences were observed between the fathead and silvery minnow in larval predator-escape response or juvenile sex ratio. Rio Grande silvery minnow survival decreased significantly at day 14 compared with the other two species; by day 21, both cyprinid species (silvery minnow and fathead minnow) exhibited a significant decrease in survival compared with bluegill sunfish, a member of the family Centrarchidae. Male Rio Grande silvery minnow showed a significant increase in whole-body vitellogenin concentration in the 10 ng/L treatment, whereas fathead minnow and bluegill sunfish showed no significant increases in vitellogenin concentrations across treatments. Our study showed response differences to estrogen exposures between the two cyprinid species and further divergence in responses between the families Cyprinidae and Centrarchidae. These results suggest that commonly used laboratory model organisms may be less sensitive to EACs than the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow. However, this study supports the continued use of surrogate species for the beneficial implementation of water-quality regulations for the protection of threatened and endangered species if phylogenetic relationships are taken into consideration.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the staff at the USGS Yankton Field Research Station, specifically Ron Grandi, Travis Schaeffer, and Evie Sime, for their assistance in daily care and maintenance of the exposure system and fish. Andrew Meister and Jeffrey Miller at the St. Cloud State University Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory provided assistance with sample preparation. Partial funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive puproses only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.

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Author notes

  1. Z. G. Jorgenson

    Present address: Ecological Services, US Fish & Wildlife Service, 4101 American Blvd East, Bloomington, MN, 55425, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, WSB-273, 270 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, USA

    Z. G. Jorgenson & H. L. Schoenfuss

  2. U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Yankton Field Research Station, 31247 436th Avenue, Yankton, SD, 57078, USA

    K. Buhl

  3. Normandale Community College, 9700 France Avenue South, Bloomington, MN, 55431, USA

    S. E. Bartell

  4. Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, WSB-273, 720 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, USA

    H. L. Schoenfuss

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  1. Z. G. Jorgenson
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  4. H. L. Schoenfuss
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Correspondence to H. L. Schoenfuss.

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Jorgenson, Z.G., Buhl, K., Bartell, S.E. et al. Do Laboratory Species Protect Endangered Species? Interspecies Variation in Responses to 17β-Estradiol, a Model Endocrine Active Compound. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 68, 204–215 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0076-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0076-9

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