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Evaluation of a 40 day Assay for Testing Endocrine Disrupters: Effects of an Anti-Estrogen and an Aromatase Inhibitor on Sex Ratio and Vitellogenin Concentrations in Juvenile Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry volume 30, pages 257–266 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of the anti-estrogen ZM 189,156 and the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole were evaluated in a 40-day juvenile assay developed for screening of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Juvenile zebrafish were exposed from 20 to 60 days post hatch (dph) to ZM 189, 154 (100 μg l−1 and 200 μg l−1) and fadrozole (10, 32, and 100 μg l−1). VTG concentrations were measured at 38 dph by the use of a direct non-competitive sandwich ELISA and sex ratios were determined at 60 dph by histological examination of the gonads. A small but significant increase in VTG concentrations was observed in fish exposed to ZM 189, 156 (100 and 200 μg l−1) and fadrozole (10 and 100 μg l−1) compared to control groups. In fish exposed to ZM 189, 156 and fadrozole, the percentage of females declined and the number of undifferentiated fish increased. These findings show that exposure of juvenile zebrafish to an aromatase inhibitor or an anti-estrogen during early development inhibits differentiation and development of female gonads. The data presented, furthermore, show that the 40-day juvenile assay may be suitable for screening endocrine disrupting chemicals acting as anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors.

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Abbreviations

Fad:

fadrozole

ZM:

ZM 189, 156

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark

    L. Andersen, K. Kinnberg, H. Holbech, B. Korsgaard & P. Bjerregaard

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  1. L. Andersen
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  2. K. Kinnberg
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  3. H. Holbech
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  4. B. Korsgaard
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  5. P. Bjerregaard
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Correspondence to L. Andersen.

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Andersen, L., Kinnberg, K., Holbech, H. et al. Evaluation of a 40 day Assay for Testing Endocrine Disrupters: Effects of an Anti-Estrogen and an Aromatase Inhibitor on Sex Ratio and Vitellogenin Concentrations in Juvenile Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish Physiol Biochem 30, 257–266 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-005-8246-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-005-8246-3

Keywords

  • Danio rerio
  • fadrozole
  • gonadal development
  • vitellogenin
  • ZM 189
  • 156

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