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Martinovic D, Blake LS, Durhan EJ, Greene KJ, Kahl MD, Jensen KM, Makynen EA, Villeneuve DL, Ankley GT: Reproductive toxicity of vinclozolin in the fathead minnow: confirming an anti-androgenic mode of action. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2008 Feb;27(2):478-88.
The objective of the present study was to characterize responses of the reproductive endocrine system of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) to the fungicide vinclozolin (VZ), using a 21-d reproduction assay, and a shorter-term (approximately two weeks) test in which fish were cotreated with the VZ (a putative anti-androgen) and the androgen 17beta-trenbolone (TB). Effects on fecundity, gonadal histology, secondary sexual characteristics, reproductive hormones, and relative abundance of androgen receptor (AR) and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD) mRNA transcripts were evaluated in one or both of these studies. Fecundity of VZ-exposed fish was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the 21-d test, culminating in complete reproductive failure at a concentration of 700 microg/L. Exposure to VZ decreased expression of male secondary sexual characteristics -- an effect typical of anti-androgens. The finding that exposure of females to TB-induced expression of prominent, male-like tubercles, which could be effectively blocked with VZ, provides powerful evidence of the anti-androgenic activity of VZ in vivo. In the two experiments VZ produced several responses possibly indicative of compensation or adaptation of the fish to the anti-androgen, including increases in gonad weight, AR and 11 betaHSD mRNA transcript abundance, and ex vivo gonadal production of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone. Overall, our results demonstrate that the model anti-androgen VZ, which also is an environmental contaminant, impairs reproductive success of fathead minnows and elicits endocrine responses consistent with an anti-androgenic mode of action. |
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