Endocrine disrupting compounds and echinoderms: new ecotoxicological sentinels for the marine ecosystem

Abstract

Echinoderms are valuable test species in marine ecotoxicology and offer a wide range of biological processes appropriate for this approach. In spite of this potential, available data in literature are still rather limited, particularly with regard to the possible effects of endocrine disrupter compounds (EDCs). This review presents echinoderms as useful models for ecotoxicological tests and gives a brief overview of the most significant results obtained in recent years, particularly in the context of the COMPRENDO EU project. In this research project two different aspects of echinoderm physiology, plausibly regulated by humoral mechanisms, were investigated: reproductive biology and regenerative development. Selected EDCs suspected for their androgenic or antiandrogenic action were tested at low concentrations. The results obtained so far showed that different parameters such as regenerative growth, histological pattern, egg diameter and gonad maturation were affected by the exposure to the selected compounds. These results substantiate that reproductive and regenerative phenomena of echinoderms can be considered valuable alternative models for studies on EDCs and confirm that these compounds interfere with fundamental physiological processes, including growth, development and reproductive competence.

Laboratory Tests with Androgenic and Anti-Androgenic Pesticides – Comparative Studies on Endocrine Modulation in the Reproductive System of Invertebrates and Vertebrates

“…Past and recent investigations have identified vertebrate type steroids, i.e. progesterone, testosterone and 17b-estradiol in several echinoderm species (see for literature Sugni et al 2007). In crustaceans steroids with structural similarities to those of vertebrates could be identified (Fingerman et al 1993, Lafont & Mathieu, 2007, LeBlanc, 2007.…”

Reproductive cycle of Antedon mediterranea (Crinoidea, Echinodermata): correlation between morphology and physiology

“…A physiological role for these hormones in this species is suggested by variations of their levels detected during exposure experiments to ED contaminants (Lavado et al 2006a). This appears to be correlated with dysfunctions of gametogenesis (Sugni et al 2008) and regeneration processes (Barbaglio et al 2006;Sugni et al 2007). In the present paper we report variations registered in T and E2 levels during the reproductive cycle of A. mediterranea.…”

“…Tortonese (1965) reported that this species reproduces all through the year, with a maximum intensity in spring and summer. In the last 10 years A. mediterranea has attracted interest due to studies on arm regeneration, its use as developmental model for basic biology studies and as an ecotoxicological model for applied biology studies related to the effects of endocrine disrupters (ED) Candia Carnevali 2005;Barbaglio et al 2006;Sugni et al 2007). In view of this background, there is a need to describe the reproductive biology of this representative mediterranean species, with the ultimate aim of explaining in depth morphological and physiological aspects correlated with gametogenesis, and to enlarge the potential usefulness of this new ecotoxicological model.…”

Echinoderms as indicators of brine discharge impacts

“…Echinoderms have been used as biological indicators and biomarkers of marine contamination, with many extensive studies undertaken over the years. They are useful bioindicators due to their abundance, 20 wide distribution, ecological relevance, benthic behaviour, rapid response and high sensitivity to the presence of many types of pollutants [13]. About its salinity tolerance, echinoderms are commonly considered to be strictly marine species.…”