Assessment of wastewater effluent estrogenicity in north central texas using the vitellogenin biomarker in male fathead minnows (pimephales promelas rafinesque)

摘要

Vitellogenin is a frequently used biomarker in fish models to assess estrogenicity. Male fathead minnows, Pimpehales promelas, were exposed to undiluted wastewater effluent for one, two or three weeks. Vitellogenin induction in male P. promelas increased in frequency and magnitude with increased exposure duration. Vitellogenin concentrations were significantly greater (α=0.05) than controls after two and three weeks of exposure, but not after one week. The level of vitellogenesis induced by these effluent exposures was high compared to similar studies of wastewater receiving systems in the united States and United Kingdom.