Meeting Abstract
Nonylphenol (NP), an alkylphenol, is a commonly used surfactant in a variety of industries. Its chemical structure is composed of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, allowing for polar and nonpolar substances to be easily miscible. It is incredibly versatile, producing around 500,000 tons of alkylphenols annually. Due to its structure, NP shows an affinity for estrogen receptors, hence its classification as an endocrine disruptor; a potential danger to reproductive success. Various alkylphenols accumulate in aquatic environments and have been shown to have effects on both aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates. Moreover, several studies have shown the reduction in olfaction from NP exposure. As crayfish rely on olfaction in mating and courtship, impairment in this system would also lead to a decreased ability to locate a mate. Due to the endocrine disruptive effects of alkylphenols observed in testis development and diminished sperm production in a variety of species, crayfish are likely to exhibit similar results when chronically exposed to sublethal NP concentrations. We hypothesize that both juvenile and adult crayfish will exhibit a dose dependent decreased ability to locate a mate that will continue to decrease over extended exposure. After chronic exposure, we also expect the juvenile male crayfish exposed to increased sublethal NP levels will exhibit decreased testis development, while female juveniles with exhibit increased ovary size relative to controls. Observing both the behavioral and developmental effects of low but chronic NP exposure will provide insight to its potential effects on crayfish courtship, and subsequent ramifications on crayfish populations and ecosystems at current EPA level guidelines.
