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ENDOCRINE MODULATING EFFECTS OF LAGOON WATER FROM CONFINED ANIMAL FEED OPERATIONS ON AMPHIBIANS
Citation:
Weber, L. P., J. N. Dumont, D. M. Janz, S R. Hutchins*, AND K. W. Selcer. ENDOCRINE MODULATING EFFECTS OF LAGOON WATER FROM CONFINED ANIMAL FEED OPERATIONS ON AMPHIBIANS. Presented at 22nd Annual SETCA Meeting, Baltimore, MD, 11/11-15/01.
Description:
Endocrine Modulating Effects of Lagoon Water from Confined Animal Feed Operations on Amphibians. Weber, L.P.*1, Dumont, J.N.1, Selcer, K.W.2, Hutchins, S.R.3, and Janz, D.M.1 1Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 2Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 3U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (NRMRL/SPRD), Ada, OK. Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are a potential source of organic and inorganic materials that may negatively impact ecosystems by disrupting the endocrine system. We have examined the effects of lagoon water from swine and beef cattle CAFOs on adult male amphibians (Xenopus laevis). Frogs were held in charcoal-filtered water (control) or CAFO effluent water for 21 days. Positive control groups were exposed to ethinyl estradiol (EE2 ? i.p. or aqueous for 21 days). Vitellogenin was highly induced in plasma from both EE2-exposed adult male groups as detected by Western blot. However, no vitellogenin was detectable in the control, swine or beef CAFO-exposed adult male plasma with Western blots, but this will be confirmed by vitellogenin ELISA. Serum testosterone (T) and the ratio of T to 17B-estradiol (T/E) were significantly suppressed by both routes of EE2 exposure, while only i.p. EE2 caused significantly reduced male serum E levels compared to control. In contrast, both swine and beef CAFO effluent exposure had no effect on male serum T, while causing a significantly decreased E and increased T/E compared to control male serum. Contrary to expectations, CAFO effluent did not produce an estrogenic response and rather may have produced an androgenic response. This study will be extended by examining the effect of dairy CAFO effluent on male Xenopus. (This abstract is a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.)