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Direct Effects, Compensation, and Recovery in Female Fathead Minnows Exposed to a Model Aromatase Inhibitor
Citation:
VILLENEUVE, D. L., D. I. MUELLER, D. MARTINOVIC, E. A. MAKYNEN, M. D. KAHL, K. M. JENSEN, E. J. DURHAN, J. E. CAVAVILLIN, D. C. BENCIC, AND G. T. ANKLEY. Direct Effects, Compensation, and Recovery in Female Fathead Minnows Exposed to a Model Aromatase Inhibitor. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, NC, 117(4):624-631, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
Results of the study have significant implications relative to the development of short-term testing protocols and/or biomarkers for detecting and identifying endocrine disrupting chemicals (or other sublethal toxicants). Additionally, the study directly supports the development of biologically-based toxicity pathway models for steroidogenesis inhibition for use in predictive ecological risk assessments with fish and, potentially, other vertebrates.
Description:
The paper reports on the effects of a model aromatase inhibitor, fadrozole, on molecular and biochemical endpoints within the fathead minnow reproductive axis. Unlike previous studies, this work incorporated extensive time-course characterization over the course of an 8 d exposure, followed by an 8 d depuration period. Results provide evidence that fish exposed to a chemical that inhibits estradiol synthesis can gradually compensate for the direct effect of the stressor through upregulation of key genes involved in steroid biosynthesis and related endocrine signaling pathways. Results also provide evidence of rapid recovery during the 8 d depuration period. Both compensatory responses during the exposure and recovery after removal of the stressor show concentration-dependent time-courses. Thus, results of the study have significant implications relative to the development of short-term testing protocols and/or biomarkers for detecting and identifying endocrine disrupting chemicals (or other sublethal toxicants). Additionally, the study directly supports the development of biologically-based toxicity pathway models for steroidogenesis inhibition for use in predictive ecological risk assessments with fish and, potentially, other vertebrates.