Endocrine disruption of phenanthrene in the protogynous dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae: Perciformes)

•The phenanthrene 96-h LC50 for E. marginatus juveniles was 1.51mg/L.•Incubation with phenanthrene caused a decrease in 11-KT levels in gonads, in vitro.•Exposure to phenanthrene increased hemosiderosis in spleen. The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus is a protogynous hermaphrodite fish, that mai...

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Published in:General and comparative endocrinology 2018-02, Vol.257, p.255-263
Main Authors: de Campos, Mariana Frias, Lo Nostro, Fabiana L., Da Cuña, Rodrigo H., Moreira, Renata Guimarães
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute toxicity
Animals
Estradiol - pharmacology
Female
Gonadal steroids
Male
PAH
Phenanthrenes - metabolism
Protogynous hermaphroditism
Sex Determination Processes - drug effects
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Summary:•The phenanthrene 96-h LC50 for E. marginatus juveniles was 1.51mg/L.•Incubation with phenanthrene caused a decrease in 11-KT levels in gonads, in vitro.•Exposure to phenanthrene increased hemosiderosis in spleen. The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus is a protogynous hermaphrodite fish, that maintains high levels of plasma steroids as juveniles, as substrates for sex inversion. These fish are exposed to marine pollution from oil spills during cargo handling. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as phenanthrene (Phe), are the main crude oil components and are toxic to fish, acting as endocrine disruptors (ED). This is the first study that investigated impacts of Phe as an ED in E. marginatus juveniles. An in vivo sublethal exposure (96h) to Phe was carried out at two concentrations (0.1mg/L and 1mg/L); exposure to the vehicle (ethanol; ETOH) was also performed. Plasma levels of 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were measured by ELISA. Gonads, liver and spleen were processed for histological analysis. In an in vitro bioassay, gonad fragments were incubated with Phe (8.91mg/L) or ETOH. Steroid levels in the culture media were measured by ELISA. The in vivo exposure to Phe triggered an increase of the area of the hepatocytes, increased number of melanomacrophagic centers and hemosiderosis in the spleen; ETOH induced similar effects on spleen. E2 and T levels did not change in plasma or in vitro media. In plasma, ETOH decreased 11-KT levels. Phenanthrene sharply reduced 11-KT levels in vitro. Although in vivo bioassay results were not unequivocal owing to ethanol effects, Phe might disrupt steroidogenesis in juvenile grouper, possibly causing dysfunctions during sex change and gonadal maturity, considering the importance of 11-KT in developing ovaries.
ISSN:0016-6480
1095-6840
DOI:10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.06.020