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Endocrine disruptions induced by artificial induction of mercury chloride on sea bream

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Abstract

There are a large number of chemicals, which are released into the Persian Gulf, capable of interfering with the synthesis and action of natural thyroid and testosterone hormones. These are considered as endocrine disruptors. In the present study, sea bream was exposed to four different concentrations (10, 20, 40, 80 μg l−1) of the widely used mercury chloride in a laboratory condition, and effects on the concentrations of serum testosterone and thyroid (T3 and T4) were assayed. Mercury chloride exhibited significant effects on both T3 and T4 (P < 0.5) concentration of serum. No significant changes occurred in the concentration of serum testosterone (P > 0.5); however, exposure to higher mercury chloride concentration showed suppressive effects on serum testosterone. Results of the present experiment indicated that mercury chloride induced alteration in the structure of the gonad and thyroid and can be considered as an endocrine disruptor substance in yellowfin sea bream.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Director and Staff at the Mariculture Research Station, Mahshahr, Iran for providing necessary facilities for the experiment and the University of Marine Science and Technology, Khoramshahr, Iran for the support during the tenure of this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fishery, Faculty of Fisheries and Environment, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

    Aliakbar Hedayati

  2. Department of Fishery, Jiroft University, Jiroft, Iran

    Ahmad Reza Hosseini

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  1. Aliakbar Hedayati
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  2. Ahmad Reza Hosseini
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Correspondence to Aliakbar Hedayati.

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Hedayati, A., Hosseini, A.R. Endocrine disruptions induced by artificial induction of mercury chloride on sea bream. Comp Clin Pathol 22, 679–684 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-012-1465-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-012-1465-y

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