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During the last decade, a number of studies have shown that, in addition to their classically described reproductive function, estrogens and androgens also regulate the immune system in teleosts. Today, several molecules are known to interfere with the sex-steroid signaling. These chemicals are often referred to as endocrine disrupting contaminants (EDCs). We review the growing evidence that these compounds interfere with the fish immune system. These studies encompass a broad range of approaches from field studies to those at the molecular level. This integrative overview improves our understanding of the various endocrine-disrupting processes triggered by these chemicals. Furthermore, the research also explains why fish that have been exposed to EDCs are more sensitive to pathogens during gametogenesis. In this review, we first discuss the primary actions of sex-steroid-like endocrine disruptors in fish and the specificity of the fish immune system in comparison to mammals. Then, we review the known interactions between the immune system and EDCs and interpret the primary effects of sex steroids (estrogens and androgens) and their related endocrine disruptors on immune modulation. The recent literature suggests that immune parameters may be used as biomarkers of contamination by EDCs. However, caution should be used in the assessment of such immunotoxicity. In particular, more attention should be paid to the specificity of these biomarkers, the external/internal factors influencing the response, and the transduction pathways induced by these molecules in fish. The use of the well-known mammalian models provides a useful guide for future research in fish.

Temperate fish species are annual spawners and mainly rely on annually cycling cues (temperature and photoperiod) to synchronise the three main phases of their reproductive cycle, that is, induction (initiation of oogenesis), vitellogenesis and the final stages (including maturation, ovulation and oviposition). This review synthesises how these three phases are controlled by specific temperature and photoperiod variations. The direction of the changes (i.e. decrease or increase) is the most important factor, although the amplitude, rates and timing of variations should also be considered to improve/optimise the quality of reproduction in aquaculture. In addition, we tentatively classified temperate fish species sharing similar temperature and/or photoperiod variation requirements for reproduction into three general functional groups. The first group (salmonids) is induced by increasing photoperiod. Vitellogenesis and the final stages are synchronised by decreasing photoperiod. The second group (percids, moronids and gadids) is induced by decreasing both temperature and photoperiod. A chilling period allows vitellogenesis. Increasing temperatures synchronise the final stages. The third group (cyprinids) is induced by decreasing either photoperiod or temperature. Vitellogenesis is faster at warm temperatures. The final stages require an increase in either photoperiod or temperature. This classification may help future research on the control of reproduction in newly cultured fish species.

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Although oocytes of many teleost fish, especially marine species, are subjected to a hydration process during meiotic maturation, which leads to an important volume increase, no noticeable hydration of the preovulatory oocyte has ever been reported in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the present study, oocyte water content and dry mass were monitored using consecutive samples taken in vivo from the same female rainbow trout, from 4-5·days prior to ovulation to up to 7·days postovulation. In addition, yolk protein electrophoretic patterns were compared between oocytes sampled prior to germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and unfertilized eggs. Furthermore, the effect of the maturation-inducing steroid (17,20␤ ␤-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 17,20␤ ␤-P), cortisol and 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) on oocyte dry and wet masses, as well as GVBD occurrence was assessed in vitro. Finally, mRNA expression profiles of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors as well as 11␤ ␤-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11␤ ␤-HSD) were monitored in the periovulatory ovary by real-time PCR.Both in vivo and in vitro data showed, for the first time in rainbow trout, that a significant oocyte hydration occurs during oocyte maturation. In addition, an intra-oocyte dry matter increase was reported in vivo during the periovulatory period. However, yolk protein migration patterns were similar in preGVBD oocytes and unfertilized eggs, suggesting that no or little yolk proteolysis occurs during oocyte maturation. We also showed that oocyte hydration can be induced in vitro by 17,20␤ ␤-P and cortisol but not by DOC. In contrast, GVBD was only observed after 17,20␤ ␤-P stimulation. Finally, real-time PCR analysis showed an up-regulation of 11␤ ␤-HSD and glucocorticoid receptor 2 transcripts in the ovary at the time of oocyte maturation. Together, these results suggest that cortisol could participate in the control of oocyte hydration and possibly in other periovulatory ovarian functions.

Climate change is predicted to increase the average water temperature and alter the ecology and physiology of several organisms including fish species. To examine the effects of increased water temperature on freshwater fish reproduction, adult European bullhead Cottus gobio of both genders were maintained under three temperature regimes (T1: 6-10, T2: 10-14 and T3: 14-18°C) and assessed for gonad development (gonadosomatic index-GSI and gonad histology), sex steroids (testosterone-T, 17β-estradiol-E2 and 11-ketotestosterone-11-KT) and vitellogenin (alkali-labile phosphoprotein phosphorus-ALP) dynamics in December, January, February and March. The results indicate that a 8°C rise in water temperature (T3) deeply disrupted the gonadal maturation in both genders. This observation was associated with the absence of GSI peak from January to March, and low levels of plasma sex steroids compared with T1-exposed fish. Nevertheless, exposure to an increasing temperature of 4°C (T2) appeared to accelerate oogenesis with an early peak value in GSI and level of plasma T recorded in January relative to T1-exposed females. In males, the low GSI, reduced level of plasma 11-KT and the absence of GSI increase from January to March support the deleterious effects of increasing water temperature on spermatogenesis. The findings of the present study suggest that exposure to elevated temperatures within the context of climate warming might affect the reproductive success of C. gobio. Specifically, a 4°C rise in water temperature affects gametogenesis by advancing the spawning, and a complete reproductive failure is observed at an elevated temperature of 8°C.

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