Endocrine disruption in Sphoeroides testudineus tissues and sediments highlights contamination in a northeastern Brazilian estuary

Abstract

In recent decades, considerable attention has been devoted to endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDC) and studies on fish feminization have increased throughout the years as a key signal for aquatic environmental contamination. The input of domestic sewage into water reservoirs is common in South American countries, especially in cities that experienced rapid population growths and unplanned urbanization. This study aimed at characterizing morphofunctional parameters of the tropical fish Sphoeroides testudineus and investigating the potential occurrence and effects of endocrine disruptors in the Pacoti River (Ceará, Brazil), often considered a reference site. After collection from the field, fish were measure/weighted and desiccated for gender identification (males, females, and undifferentiated), gonadal histology, and vitellogenin expression. From the biometric analysis, undifferentiated fish showed lower weight and length than female and male fish, although no differences in the condition index were observed. The gonadal weight of undifferentiated fish was significantly lower than those of females and males. Although this pattern was observed, gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed a different pattern, with differences being observed just between males and the other two groups (females and undifferentiated). Vitellogenin (VTG) expression was detected in many mature male and undifferentiated fish, indicating endocrine disruption. In addition, several EDCs (estrone, 17α-estradiol, 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, diethylstilbestrol, and estriol) were identified and quantified in sediments from the sampling site. These results were unexpected and indicative that the Pacoti River is impaired by estrogenic contamination.

Use of an environmental diagnostic study on a coastal lagoon as a decision support tool for environmental management policies in a coastal zone

“…Natural and fecal sterols have been successfully applied to the study of sewage contamination in sediments of tropical and sub-tropical areas (Martins et al , 2014; Venturini et al , 2015; Pimentel et al , 2016). Total sterols (mean values of the seven sterols analyzed (Σ sterols )) ranged from 1,189.53 (C5) to 30,308.02 ng g −1 (C4).…”

“…Coastal lagoons are located at the terrestrial and marine interface known as the coastal zone, where processes of urbanization lead to the degradation of ecosystems with negative impacts on the quality of habitats and the dynamics of local fauna and flora (Gedan et al , 2010; Pimentel et al , 2016). These aquatic systems are shallow and most of their inputs come from the mainland through rivers.…”

“…Coastal lagoons are highly productive, but also highly affected by global climate change and urbanization. Sewage is a major cause of the reduction in water quality in coastal aquatic systems, but changes in sea level, rainfall patterns and urban runoff also affect the distribution, mobility and concentration of contaminants (Anthony et al , 2009; Pimentel et al , 2016; Vane et al , 2010).…”

“…(Froehner et al , 2012; Lapworth et al , 2012; Wang et al , 2015; Lima et al , 2019; Morais et al , 2019). Therefore, these compounds have been widely used as markers in environmental diagnostic studies (Froehner et al , 2012; Abreu-Mota et al , 2014; Carreira et al , 2015; Pimentel et al , 2016).…”

Estrogenic Compounds: Chemical Characteristics, Detection Methods, Biological and Environmental Effects

“…The studies of Jobling et al (2002) and Osman et al (2015) showed that intersex decreased the fertility of Rutilus rutilus males, resulting in gametes with low motility and, furthermore, low ability for fertilization and decreased viable descendant production. Pimentel et al (2016) characterized the morphofunctional parameters of the tropical fish Sphoeroides testudineus and investigated the eventual occurrence and disruptive endocrine effects on Pacoti River (Ceará, Brazil). Collected fishes were weighed, measured and dissected for the evaluation of gender (male, female, indeterminate) and histological and vitellogenin analyses.…”