Meeting Abstract
Nonylphenol (NP) is a commonly used surfactant in a variety of industries. Nonylphenol shows an affinity for estrogen receptors, hence its classification as an endocrine disruptor and potential danger to reproductive success. Nonylphenol accumulates in aquatic environments and several studies have demonstrated reduced olfaction and impaired gonad development in a several species after exposure. Although acute studies have been performed, chronic exposure studies are limited. A total of 240 crayfish, Orconectes propinquus, consisting of 60 adult males, 60 adult females, 60 juvenile males, and 60 juvenile females were collected. They were then exposed to NP for four months. Repeated behavioral assays were performed using a Y-Maze and electrophysiological recordings of antennules were obtained. Individual weekly mass, molting events, mortality, and final gonad mass were all recorded during exposure. Exposing crayfish to varying sublethal concentrations of endocrine disrupting nonylphenol alters reproductive behavior through chronically hindering electrophysiology and altering developmental processes. Our data suggests that NP exposure also leads to reduced molting. We quantified hormone concentrations in the blood and receptor expression in gonad tissue during nonylphenol exposure to determine if NP will disrupt the molting hormone signaling pathways. Despite these concentrations being below current regulations, detrimental effects still exist. This necessitates the re-evaluation and implementation of an indefinite exposure, low-level guideline if nonylphenol continues to be used in a wide variety of industries.
