Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Selected endocrine disrupting compounds (Vinclozolin, Flutamide, Ketoconazole and Dicofol): Effects on survival, occurrence of males, growth, molting and reproduction of Daphnia magna

  • Research Article
  • Area 6.4 · Monitoring and Fate of Persistent Chemicals
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background, Aim and Scope

Pollution-induced endocrine disruption in vertebrates and invertebrates is a worldwide environmental problem, but relatively little is known about effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in planktonic crustaceans (including Daphnia magna). Aims of the present study were to investigate acute 48 h toxicity and sub-chronic (4–6 days) and chronic (21 days) effects of selected EDCs in D. magna. We have investigated both traditional endpoints as well as other parameters such as sex determination, maturation, molting or embryogenesis in order to evaluate the sensitivity and possible use of these endpoints in ecological risk assessment.

Materials and Methods

We have studied effects of four model EDCs (vinclozolin, flutamide, ketoconazole and dicofol) on D. magna using (i) an acute 48 h immobilization assay, (ii) a sub-chronic, 4–6 day assay evaluating development and the sex ratio of neonates, and (iii) a chronic, 21 day assay studying number of neonates, sex of neonates, molting frequency, day of maturation and the growth of maternal organisms.

Results

Acute EC50 values in the 48 h immobilization test were as follows (mg/L): dicofol 0.2, ketoconazole 1.5, flutamide 2.7, vinclozolin >3. Short-term, 4–6 day assays with sublethal concentrations showed that the sex ratio in Daphnia was modulated by vinclozolin (decreased number of neonate males at 1 mg/L) and dicofol (increase in males at 0.1 mg/L). Flutamide (up to 1 mg/L) had no effect on the sex of neonates, but inhibited embryonic development at certain stages during chronic assay, resulting in abortions. Ketoconazole had no significant effects on the studied processes up to 1 mg/L.

Discussion

Sex ratio modulations by some chemicals (vinclozolin and dicofol) corresponded to the known action of these compounds in vertebrates (i.e. anti-androgenicity and anti-oestrogenicity, respectively). Our study revealed that some chemicals known to affect steroid-regulated processes in vertebrates can also affect sublethal endpoints (e.g. embryonic sex determination and/or reproduction) in invertebrates such as D. magna.

Conclusions

A series of model vertebrate endocrine disrupters affected various sub-chronic and chronic parameters in D. magna including several endpoints that have not been previously studied in detail (such as sex determination in neonates, embryogenesis, molting and maturation). Evaluations of traditional reproduction parameters (obtained from the 21 day chronic assay) as well as the results from a rapid, 4–6 day, sub-chronic assay provide complementary information on non-lethal effects of suspected organic endocrine disrupters.

Recommendations and Perspectives

It seems that there are analogies between vertebrates and invertebrates in toxicity mechanisms and in vivo effects of endocrine disruptors. However, general physiological status of organisms may also indirectly affect endpoints that are traditionally considered ‘hormone regulated’ (especially at higher effective concentrations as observed in this study) and these factors should be carefully considered. Further research of D. magna physiology and comparative studies with various EDCs will help to understand mechanisms of action as well as ecological risks of EDCs in the environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • Andersen H, Wollenberger L, Halling-Sorensen B, Kusk K (2001): Development of Copepod nauplii to copepodites — A parameter for chronic toxicity including endocrine disruption. Environ Toxicol & Chem 20, 2821–2829

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin W, Graham S, Shea D, LeBlanc G (1998): Altered metabolic elimination of testosterone and associated toxicity following exposure of Daphnia magna to nonylphenol polyethoxylate. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 39(2) 104–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin W, Leblanc G (1994): In-vivo biotransformation of testosterone by phase-I and phase-Ii detoxication enzymes and their modulation by 20-Hydroxyecdysone in Daphni magna. Aquat Toxicol 29(1–2) 103–117

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barata C, Baird J (2000): Determining the ecotoxicological mode of action of chemicals from measurements made on individuals: Results from instar-based tests with Daphnia magna Straus. Aquat Toxicol 48, 195–209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basler A, Lebsanft J (1999): Endocrine disrupters — Status and regulatory aspects. Env Sci Pollut Res 6, 44–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bayley M, Junge M, Baatrup E (2002): Exposure of juvenile guppies to three antiandrogens causes demasculinization and a reduced sperm count in adult males. Aquat Toxicol 56, 227–239

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bryan GW, Gibbs PE, Hummerstone (1986): The decline of the gastropod Nucella lapillus around south-west England: Evidence for the effect of tributyltin from antifouling paints. J Marine Biol Assoc UK 66, 611–640

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang E (1993): Comparative endocrinology of molting and reproduction — Insects and crustaceans. Annu Rev Entomol 38, 161–180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dodson S, Hanazato T (1995): Commentary on effects of anthropogenic and natural organic chemicals on the development, swimming behavior, and reproduction of Daphnia, a key member of aquatic ecosystem. Environ Health Perspect 103, 7–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dodson S, Merritt C, Shannahan J, Shults C (1999a): Low exposure concentrations of atrazine increase male production in Daphnia pulicaria. Environ Toxico Chem 18, 1568–1573

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Finney D (1971): Probit analysis. Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray L, Lambright C, Mann P, Price M, Cooper R, Ostby J (1999): Administration of potentially antiandrogenic pesticides (procymidone, linuron, iprodione, chlozolinate, p,p′-DDE, and ketoconazole) and toxic substances (dibutyl-and diethylhexyl phthalate, PCB 169, and ethane dimethane sulphonate) during sexual differentiation produces diverse profiles of reproductive malformations in the male rat. Toxicol Ind Health 15, 94–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heckman W, Kane B, Pakyz R, Cosentino M (1992): The effect of ketoconazole on endocrine and reproductive parameters in malemice and rats. J Androl 13, 191–198

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heinz -RK, Werner K, Martin S, Iika L, Anna L, Reye, Rita T, Roland N, Gilbert S (2007): Sex steroid receptor evolution and signalling in aquatic invertebrates. Ecotoxicology 16(1) 131–143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hense B, Severin G, Pfister G, Welzl G, Jaser W, Schramm K (2005): Effects of anthropogenic estrogens nonylphenol and 17 alphaethinylestradiol in aquatic model ecosystems. Acta Hydrochim Hydrobiol 33(1) 27–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kashian D (2004): Toxaphene detoxification and acclimation in Daphnia magna: do cytochrome P-450 enzymes play a role? Comp Biochem Phys C 137, 53–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Kashian D, Dodson S (2004). Effects of vertebrate hormones on development and sex determination in Daphnia magna. Environ Toxicol Chem 23, 1282–1288

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kast-Hutcheson K, Rider C, LeBlanc G (2001): The fungicide propiconazole interferes with embryonic development of the crustacean Daphnia magna. Environ Toxicol Chem 20, 502–509

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keiter S, Rastall A, Kosmehl T, Wurm K, Erdinger L, Braunbeck T, Hollert H (2006): Ecotoxicological assessment of sediment, suspended matter and water samples in the upper Danube River — A pilot study in search for the causes for the decline of fish catches. Env Sci Pollut Res 13, 308–319

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelce W, Monosson E, Gamcsik M, Laws S, Gray L (1994): Environmental Hormone Disruptors: Evidence That Vinclozolin Developmental Toxicity Is Mediated by Antiandrogenic Metabolites. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 126, 276–285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kolvenbag G, Iversen P, Newling D (2001): Antiandrogen monotherapy: A new form of treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Urol 58, 16–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kunimatsu T, Yamada T, Miyata K, Yabushita S, Seki T, Okuno Y, Matsuo M (2004): Evaluation for reliability and feasibility of the draft protocol for the enhanced rat 28-day subacute study (OECD Guideline 407) using androgen antagonist flutamide. Toxicol 200, 77–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc G, McLachlan J (1999): Molt-independent growth inhibition of Daphnia magna by a vertebrate antiandrogen. Environ Toxicol Chem 18, 1450–1455

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc G (2007): Crustacean endocrine toxicology: A review. Ecotoxicology 16(1) 61–81

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oda S, Tatarazako N, Watanabe H, Morita M, Iguchi T (2005a): Production of male neonates in Daphnia magna (Cladocera, Crustacea) exposed to juvenile hormones and their analogs. Chemosphere 61, 1168–1174

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oda S, Tatarazako N, Watanabe H, Morita M, Iguchi T (2005b): Production of male neonates in four cladoceran species exposed to a juvenile hormone analog, fenoxycarb. Chemosphere 60, 74–78

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oda S, Tatarazako N, Watanabe H, Morita M, Iquchi T (2006): Genetic differences in the production of male neonates in Daphnia magna exposed to juvenile hormone analogs. Chemosphere 63(9) 1477–1484

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • OECD (1996): Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development — Guideline 202, Daphnia sp., Acute Immobilisation Test and Reproduction Test

  • Olmstead A, LeBlanc GA (2000): Effects of endocrine-active chemicals on the development of sex characteristics of Daphnia magna. Environ Toxicol Chem 19, 2107–2113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olmstead A, Leblanc G. (2002): Juvenoid hormone methyl farnesoate is a sex determinant in the crustacean Daphnia magna. J Exp Zool 293, 736–739

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olmstead A, LeBlanc G (2003): Insecticidal juvenile hormone analogs stimulate the production of male offspring in the crustacean Daphnia magna. Environ Health Perspect 111, 919–924

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olmstead A, LeBlanc G (2001): Low exposure concentration effects of methoprene on endocrine-regulated processes in the crustacean Daphnia magna. Toxicol Sci 62, 268–273

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson J, Kashian D, Dodson S (2001): Methoprene and 20-OH-ecdysone affect male production in Daphnia pulex. Environ Toxicol Chem 20, 582–588

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Preston B, Snell T, Robertson T, Dingmann B (2000): Use of freshwater rotifer brachionus calyciflorus in screening assay for potential endocrine disruptors. Environ Toxicol Chem 19, 2923–2928

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samel A, Ziegenfuss M, Goulden C, Banks S, Baer K (1999): Culturing and bioassay testing of Daphnia magna using Elendt M4, Elendt M7, and COMBO media. Ecotox Environ Safe 43, 103–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez P, Alonso C, Fernandez C, Vega M, Garcia M, Tarazona J (2005): Evaluation of a multi-species test system for assessing acute and chronic toxicity of sediments and water to aquatic invertebrates — Effects of pentachlorophenol on Daphnia magna and Chironomus prasinus. J Soils Sediments 5, 53–58

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schurmeyer T, Nieschlag E (1984): Effect of ketoconazole and other imidazole fungicides on testosterone biosynthesis. Acta Endocrinologica 105, 275–280

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sperry T, Thomas P (1999): Identification of two nuclear androgen receptors in kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) and their binding affinities for xenobiotics: Comparison with Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) androgen receptors. Biol Reprod 61, 1152–1161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • StahlschmidtAllner P, Allner B, Rombke J, Knacker T (1997): Endocrine disruptors in the aquatic environment. Env Sci Pollut Res 4, 155–162

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Subramonian T (2000): Crustacean ecdysteroids and embryogenesis. Comp Biochem Phys C 125, 135–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatarazako N, Oda S, Watanabe H, Morita M, Iguchi T (2003): Juvenile hormone agonists affect the occurrence of male Daphnia. Chemosphere 53, 827–833

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tillmann M, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Duft M, Markert B, Oehlmann J (2001): Effects of endocrine disruptors on prosobranch snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the laboratory. Part III: Cyproterone acetate and vinclozolin as antiandrogens. Ecotoxicology 10, 373–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler C, Jobling S, Sumpter J (1998): Endocrine disruption in wildlife: A critical review of the evidence. Crit Rev Toxicol 28(4) 319–361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vinggaard A, Hnida C, Breinholt V, Larsen J (2000): Screening of selected pesticides for inhibition of CYP19 aromatase activity in vitro. Toxicol in Vitro 14, 227–234

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Olmstead A, Li H, LeBlanc G (2005): The screening of chemicals for juvenoid-related endocrine activity using the water flea Daphnia magna. Aquat Toxicol 74, 193–204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zou E, Fingerman M (1997): Effects of estrogenic xenobiotics on molting of the water flea, Daphnia magna. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 38(3) 281–285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. RECETOX — Research Centre for Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 3, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic

    Maher H. Haeba, Klára Hilscherová, Edita Mazurová & Ludek Bláha

  2. Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Kvetná 8, 60325, Brno, Czech Republic

    Klára Hilscherová & Ludek Bláha

Authors
  1. Maher H. Haeba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Klára Hilscherová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Edita Mazurová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ludek Bláha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ludek Bláha.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haeba, M.H., Hilscherová, K., Mazurová, E. et al. Selected endocrine disrupting compounds (Vinclozolin, Flutamide, Ketoconazole and Dicofol): Effects on survival, occurrence of males, growth, molting and reproduction of Daphnia magna . Environ Sci Pollut Res 15, 222–227 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2007.12.466

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2007.12.466

Keywords

Search

Navigation