Identification of androstenedione in a river containing paper mill effluent

Abstract

Effluent from a paper mill discharging into the Fenholloway River, Taylor County, Florida, USA, contains chemicals that masculinize females of the resident population of eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), as evidenced in females by elongated anal fins, which is normally a male-specific trait. To identify androgenic components in the effluent, water collected from the Fenholloway River and a control tributary was fractionated using solid-phase extraction and reverse-phase high-performance-liquid chromatography. Two Fenholloway River fractions induced androgen receptor-dependent transcriptional activity in transient transfection cell culture assays. Of these, androstenedione was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring.

In vivo and in vitro assessment of the androgenic potential of a pulp and paper mill effluent

“…It should be noted that in the effluent studied here, cholesterol is frequently found in similar quantities to phytosterols and thus is also a potential precursor to steroidal compounds as weil. Recently, androstenedione was identified by liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry as one of two androgen-like compounds within a kraft mill receiving water [24]. River receiving water fractions induced androgen receptor-dependent transcriptional activity in transient transfection cell cultllre assays.…”

“…[22] have shown that byproduets of microbial-degraded stigmastanol and ß-sitosterol ean exert morphogenie effeets in female mosquitotish that are similar to those observed by Turner [23] and Howell et al [13] on exposure to androgens. Recently, androstenedione was identified as one of two androgenie compounds within BKMEreeeiving water fraetions eoIIeeted where a population of maseulinized mosquitofish was found [24].…”

Simultaneous determination of five estrogens and four androgens in water samples by online solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

“…In 1997 paper mill effluent was revealed to cause androgenic effects on mosquitofish and livebearer fish [15]. In 2001 masculinized fish were found in the Fenholloway River east of Perry, Florida, USA containing androstenedione [16]. Another study [17] confirmed that female mosquitofish were masculinized by short-term exposures to high concentration of androstenedione.…”

Trace analysis of 28 steroids in surface water, wastewater and sludge samples by rapid resolution liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

“…It is reported that EDCs could interfere with reproduction and development, induce hermaphroditism of aquatic organisms [1], and increase the possibility of breast and testicular cancers in humans [2]. Natural and synthetic steroids have been regarded as the most important members of EDCs which could cause adverse effects on aquatic organism at the low ng/L level [3,4]. In addition to excretion of natural steroids by human and animals, synthetic steroids have also been widely used in our daily life and livestock industry for various purposes, such as contraception, human and veterinary therapy, and growth promoters.…”