Detectable effect size and bioassay power of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) adult reproductive tests

Abstract

Although multiple reproductive tests have been developed in small-bodied fish to determine the effects of endocrine-disrupting substances, few direct comparisons have been made among the available tests. Side-by-side reproductive tests with mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) and fathead minnow (FHM; Pimephales promelas) were conducted with 0, 3, 10, and 30% effluent from a bleached kraft pulp mill in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Egg production was significantly increased in mummichog exposed to 3% combined mill effluent, but no difference was observed in FHM. No differences were found in whole-body testosterone or estradiol levels in mummichog, and whole-body 11-ketotestosterone levels in males were increased in 3% exposed fish compared to those in 10% effluent. Male FHM exposed to 30% effluent had increased whole-body testosterone levels, and female FHM in 30% effluent had decreased testosterone. No differences in estradiol or 11-ketotestosterone were observed in FHM. Relatively limited response occurred in other endpoints. A comparison of the results of the present study to other published studies suggests that current reproductive bioassays are only sensitive for detecting magnitudes of change of greater than 50% and that differences exist in the sensitivities of fish. Future research should address methods of reducing variability within test populations and focus on understanding the comparative responses among species commonly used for endocrine-disrupting substance testing.

Estimating the ecological, economic and social impacts of ocean acidification and warming on UK fisheries

“…Sunday et al . ) and their general reproductive strategy (Melvin et al ., ); and (iv) the presence of potential geographical and ecological barriers affecting connectivity among populations and effectively preventing species from shifting their geographical ranges.…”

Challenges in current adult fish laboratory reproductive tests: Suggestions for refinement using a mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) case study

“…The effect of waste streams, compounds, or both on mummichog reproductive endpoints is frequently studied [3,[14][15][16]. High variance and low power are characteristics of current protocols used for the mummichog adult reproductive test [11,17]. In order to optimize the study design for the protocol, three studies were conducted to determine the period in the reproductive cycle of peak egg production, the optimal duration for the test, and the sample size requirements.…”

“…A recent study comparing fathead minnow and mummichog reproductive tests showed relatively high variance and low power to detect subtle (,50%) differences in cumulative egg production for both species [11]. Studies with low power result in an increased probability to commit a type II error, that is, accepting the null hypothesis (the contaminant had no effect on fish reproduction) when it should be rejected.…”

Effects of Neutral Sulfite Semichemical Pulp Mill Effluent in the Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus.) Adult Fish Reproductive Test

“…Exposure of fi sh to model compounds under marine conditions have demonstrated negative impacts on egg production; exposure of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) to EE 2 (Peters et al 2007) and sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) to 17 β-trembolone (Hemmer et al 2008) resulted in sharp decreases in egg production. The only published short-term reproductive test in which mummichog were exposed to bleached kraft mill effl uent under estuarine conditions showed an increase in egg production at low concentrations of fi nal effl uent (Melvin et al 2009). To our knowledge there has never been an adult fi sh reproductive test done under estuarine (brackish) conditions that has demonstrated signifi cant reductions in egg production resulting from exposure to complex effl uents.…”