Reproductive Effects of Ethynylestradiol and 4t-Octylphenol on the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

In this study, the impact of ethynylestradiol (EE2) and 4t-octylphenol (OP) on reproduction in zebrafish (Danio rerio) was evaluated using spawning and fertilization success, gonadosomatic index, and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) levels as endpoints. Adult male and female zebrafish were exposed under semi-static conditions to 5, 10, 25 and 50 ng/L EE2 and to 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/L OP for 3 weeks. A dose-related reduction in the number of females capable of spawning was observed at 10 ng/L EE2 with a complete inhibition of spawning at levels of 25 ng/L EE2. The ovaries of these nonspawning females were regressed and mean ovary somatic index (OSI) was significantly below the reference OSI determined in nonexposed females prior to spawning. Our results suggest an adverse impact of EE2 on male fertilization capacity and demonstrate a significant reduction in testis somatical index after exposure to 10 and 25 ng/L EE2. For both males and females, a dose dependent VTG induction was measured. Levels of VTG in fish plasma were significantly correlated with measured gonadosomatic indices. Minor effects were observed for OP. No significant effects on spawning or fertilization success were observed in this study, though OSI of nonspawning females was reduced at levels of 25 μg/L OP and higher. No changes in plasma protein levels were measured in male and female fish exposed to OP. The results from this study demonstrate that OP and especially EE2 can adversely affect the normal reproduction success of male and especially female zebrafish, with relevance for population effects.