Publication Abstract

Identification of oestrogenic chemicals in STW effluent II: In vivo responses in trout and roach

E.J. Routledge, D. Sheahan, C. Desbrow, G.C. Brighty, M.J. Waldock and J.P. Sumpter

The occurrence of certain natural and synthetic steroidal estrogens in the final effluent from STW has been demonstrated. 17 beta-estradiol and estrone were present at concentrations in the tens of nanograms per litre range, and the synthetic estrogen 17 alpha-ethynyl estradiol was also identified, albeit in the low nanogram per litre range. The findings from subsequent in vivo tank trial experiments, in which adult male rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) and adult roach (Rutilus rutilus) were exposed for 21 days, via the water, to environmentally-relevant concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol and estrone, are presented. In addition, the response of adult male and female roach following exposure to 17 beta-estradiol (1, 10 and 100 ng/L) was compared to the response to the alkylphenolic xenoestrogen, 4-tert-octylphenol (1, 10 and 100 µg/L). Plasma levels of vitellogenin were determined using previously validated radioimmunoassays in order to measure the estrogenic response of the fish to the varying concentrations of the compounds tested. The results indicate that environmentally-relevant concentrations of natural steroidal estrogens, are sufficient to account for the levels of vitellogenin synthesis observed in caged male fish placed downstream of certain STW effluent discharges in British rivers.

Reference:

E.J. Routledge, D. Sheahan, C. Desbrow, G.C. Brighty, M.J. Waldock and J.P. Sumpter, 1998.Identification of oestrogenic chemicals in STW effluent II: In vivo responses in trout and roach. Environmental Science and Technology, 32: 1559-1565