Meeting Abstract

44.11  Jan. 6  Sperm production in Gambusia affinis as a biomarker of endocrine disruption MELVIN, III, Paul D.*; BOYD, Amy; ANGUS, Robert A.; University of Alabama at Birmingham; University of Alabama at Birmingham; University of Alabama at Birmingham pdmelvin@uab.edu

Many anthropogenic compounds with endocrine disrupting activity have been detected in aquatic environments. The mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, is a useful biomonitor species for endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in aquatic environments because of its widespread occurrence around the world, large environmental tolerances, and ease of use in the laboratory. Previous studies have shown that vitellogenin production in males and modified anal fin development (masculinization) in females are reliable indicators of exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds. Other experiments have shown that endocrine disrupting compounds affect courtship behaviors, sperm motility, egg fertilization rates, and sperm counts in fish. The current study tests the hypothesis that a decrease in sperm production in male mosquitofish will serve as reliable indicator of exposure to estrogenic compounds. Laboratory exposure to the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol significantly decreased sperm production in G. affinis males. Sperm counts of males collected from a nonpolluted spring in central Alabama showed little seasonal variation. Additionally, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a potential source of endocrine disrupting chemicals in aquatic systems, particularly those with estrogenic activity. Male mosquitofish collected below the effluent outfall of a WWTP had significantly lower mean sperm counts than controls. These results indicate that sperm count is a useful biomarker of endocrine disruption in mature male G. affinis.