Evaluation of Organochlorine Pesticides and Sex Steroids in Lower Niagara River Lake Sturgeon

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory R. Jacobs ◽  
Deke T. Gundersen ◽  
Molly A. H. Webb ◽  
Dimitry Gorsky ◽  
Kristina Kohl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Sex Steroids ◽  
Polychlorinated Biphenyl ◽  
Nondestructive Method ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
River Population ◽  
Niagara River

Abstract As a long-lived, late-maturing species, lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens are vulnerable to the bioaccumulation of contaminants, which may impact reproductive physiology. The purpose of this study was to use a nondestructive method to investigate the relationship between endocrine-disrupting contaminants and sex steroids in lake sturgeon from the lower Niagara River. We screened blood plasma samples from lower Niagara River lake sturgeon (n  =  63) during April and May of 2012 for concentrations of 17 organochlorine (OC) contaminants that may affect endocrine function, as well as for abnormal levels of sex steroids testosterone (T) and 17β-estradiol (E2). We found detectable levels of two OC contaminants in the blood plasma of lake sturgeon, DDE (n  =  21) and γ-BHC (n  =  1). In both cases, plasma contaminant concentration was well below levels known to adversely affect sturgeon reproductive physiology. In addition, qualitative analysis of chromatographs from plasma extracts did not show the presence of other peaks that matched polychlorinated biphenyl standard peaks. Comparisons of plasma steroid levels with those of others from the literature gave no indication of endocrine disruption, though plasma T levels were notably high in the lower Niagara River population. We conclude that plasma OC levels are below threshold levels found in the scientific literature that would affect lake sturgeon reproductive physiology, and that it is unlikely that significant contaminant-mediated endocrine disruption is occurring in this population.

scholarly journals Metabolic-endocrine disruption due to preterm birth impacts growth, body composition, and neonatal outcome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Sophie Möllers ◽  
Efrah I. Yousuf ◽  
Constanze Hamatschek ◽  
Katherine M. Morrison ◽  
Michael Hermanussen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Postnatal Development ◽  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
List Type ◽  
Term Infants

Abstract Despite optimized nutrition, preterm-born infants grow slowly and tend to over-accrete body fat. We hypothesize that the premature dissociation of the maternal–placental–fetal unit disrupts the maintenance of physiological endocrine function in the fetus, which has severe consequences for postnatal development. This review highlights the endocrine interactions of the maternal–placental–fetal unit and the early perinatal period in both preterm and term infants. We report on hormonal levels (including tissue, thyroid, adrenal, pancreatic, pituitary, and placental hormones) and nutritional supply and their impact on infant body composition. The data suggest that the premature dissociation of the maternal–placental–fetal unit leads to a clinical picture similar to panhypopituitarism. Further, we describe how the premature withdrawal of the maternal–placental unit, neonatal morbidities, and perinatal stress can cause differences in the levels of growth-promoting hormones, particularly insulin-like growth factors (IGF). In combination with the endocrine disruption that occurs following dissociation of the maternal–placental–fetal unit, the premature adaptation to the extrauterine environment leads to early and fast accretion of fat mass in an immature body. In addition, we report on interventional studies that have aimed to compensate for hormonal deficiencies in infants born preterm through IGF therapy, resulting in improved neonatal morbidity and growth. Impact Preterm birth prematurely dissociates the maternal–placental–fetal unit and disrupts the metabolic-endocrine maintenance of the immature fetus with serious consequences for growth, body composition, and neonatal outcomes. The preterm metabolic-endocrine disruption induces symptoms resembling anterior pituitary failure (panhypopituitarism) with low levels of IGF-1, excessive postnatal fat mass accretion, poor longitudinal growth, and failure to thrive. Appropriate gestational age-adapted nutrition alone seems insufficient for the achievement of optimal growth of preterm infants. Preliminary results from interventional studies show promising effects of early IGF-1 supplementation on postnatal development and neonatal outcomes.

Invasive species alter ontogenetic shifts in the trophic ecology of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Niagara River and Lake Ontario

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1533-1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory R. Jacobs ◽  
Eric L. Bruestle ◽  
Anna Hussey ◽  
Dimitry Gorsky ◽  
Aaron T. Fisk
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Fulvescens ◽  
Niagara River ◽  
Ontogenetic Shifts

scholarly journals Population status and demographics of Lake Sturgeon in the Bad and White rivers, Wisconsin

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 442-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua T. Schloesser ◽  
Henry R. Quinlan
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Return Time ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
River Population ◽  
Mature Adults ◽  
Rehabilitation Plan ◽  
Population Trajectory ◽  
Spawning Run

Abstract Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens rehabilitation efforts in Lake Superior are guided by a rehabilitation plan that sets goals and criteria for a self-sustaining population, including a minimum of 1,500 mature adults, roughly equal sex ratio, and annual exploitation rates < 5%. The Bad and White rivers, Wisconsin host a genetically unique Lake Sturgeon population that is utilized by state-licensed recreational anglers and tribal subsistence fishers. Our objectives were to 1) determine if the Bad River population meets rehabilitation plan targets for a self-sustaining population, 2) assess harvest of Lake Sturgeon by recreational anglers and tribal subsistence fishers for compatibility with rehabilitation goals, 3) determine population trajectory from annual spawning runs, and 4) describe population demographics given the unique physical features of Lake Superior. We sampled Lake Sturgeon in the Bad and White rivers with gill nets over a 17-y period (2001 to 2017). The observed sex ratio in spawning runs was 2.2:1 (male : female), but calculated at 1.6:1 for the entire adult population on the basis of abundance estimates. Weight–length relationships converted to a standardized modified form factor indicated lower condition and possibly lower female fecundity compared with other large North American populations. Annual spawning run size estimates over time indicated that the population trajectory was stable to slightly increasing, and during 2016 was 739 and 241 individuals in the Bad and White rivers, respectively. Total population size (including nonspawners) exceeded 1,500 individuals, which met Lake Superior rehabilitation criteria for a self-sustaining population. Estimates of 1,426 males and 882 females were considered conservative because 472 unknown-sex fish could not be accounted for in return time and abundance models. Spawning return times were 2 or 3 y for males and 4 to 6 y for females, longer than many other populations. Exploitation by recreational anglers and tribal subsistence fishers was 1.3% or lower and met the rehabilitation plan target of < 5%, but we recommend exploitation not exceed 3.1% to maintain a self-sustaining population. These findings help gauge rehabilitation progress in Lake Superior and better describe the demographics of a remnant self-sustaining Lake Sturgeon population in Lake Superior.

Endocrine Disruption: Why Is It So Complicated?

2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L. Lister ◽  
Glen J. Van Der Kraak
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
The Status ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Timing Of Exposure

Abstract The intricate nature of the vertebrate endocrine system creates several challenges that impede the understanding of the threats that endocrine disrupting substances (EDS) may pose to both humans and wildlife. While there are many similarities in the organization of endocrine communication across vertebrate classes, there are differences in hormonal activities and regulated events which makes generalizing EDS effects across species difficult. Aspects of endocrine functioning that may be affected by EDS include the biosynthesis, transport or availability, and metabolism of hormones. Also, EDS may interact with hormone receptors, which is a feature exploited by researchers as a screening method to identify potential EDS. There are many factors to consider in regards to the effects of potential EDS on endocrine functioning, including the timing of exposure, species-specific differences, and a multitude of other factors, which may impinge directly on the physiological endpoints used to determine if endocrine disruption has occurred. It is important to understand the status of the endocrine system before attempting to interpret reproductive status or the general health of the population. This paper provides an overview of the endocrine physiology of vertebrates and a description of the mechanisms by which EDS may affect endocrine function. As well, some of the factors that complicate our understanding of the relationship between exposure to EDS and compromised health in different vertebrate species are included.

Effects of 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl on the dynamics of vitamin A in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and intestinal retinoid concentrations in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 512-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristocle Ndayibagira ◽  
Marie-Josée Cloutier ◽  
Perry D. Anderson ◽  
Philip A. Spear
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Fontinalis ◽  
Retinyl Palmitate ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Contaminated Site ◽  
Acipenser Fulvescens ◽  
River Population ◽  
Ottawa River ◽  
St Lawrence River

A single i.p. injection of 5 μg 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCBP)/g body mass in adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) resulted in decreased (p < 0.0001) growth rate despite pair feeding. Plasma retinol decreased (p < 0.0037). Intestinal retinyl palmitate (RP) and 3,4-dehydroretinyl palmitate (DRP) concentrations decreased in TCBP-injected males (RP, p < 0.0143; DRP, p < 0.0009), whereas retinoid levels did not decrease significantly in TCBP-injected females. The RP:DRP ratio in trout liver increased (p < 0.0001). These results suggested that DRP is more sensitive than RP to the effects of TCBP. No significant differences in ovarian retinoids occurred in post-spawning trout. Field validation of the effects on intestinal retinoids was conducted with lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) caught at a contaminated site on the Des Prairies River near Montréal (St. Lawrence River population) and reference sturgeon taken from a site near the origin of the Ottawa River in LaVerendrye Park. Intestinal retinoid concentrations were lower (RP, p < 0.0008; DRP, p < 0.0004) in the St. Lawrence River sturgeon. Our results demonstrate that a coplanar PCB is capable of altering vitamin A dynamics in several tissues and organs, and may cause a lowering of retinoids in the intestine.

Endocrine disruption in invertebrates

2003 ◽  
Vol 75 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 2207-2218 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Oehlmann ◽  
U. Schulte-Oehlmann
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Industrial Chemicals ◽  
Animal Kingdom ◽  
Insect Growth Regulators ◽  
And Function ◽  
Ecosystem Structure And Function

Recent reports have shown that a number of xenobiotics in the environment are capable of interfering with the normal endocrine function in a variety of animals. The overwhelming majority of the studies on the effects of hormone-mimetic industrial chemicals were focused on findings in vertebrates. More detailed information about the effects on and mechanisms of action in invertebrates has only been obtained from a few cases, although invertebrates represent more than 95 % of the known species in the animal kingdom and are extremely important with regard to ecosystem structure and function. The limited number of examples for endocrine disruption (ED) in invertebrates is partially due to the fact that their hormonal systems are rather poorly understood in comparison with vertebrates. Deleterious endocrine changes following an exposure to certain compounds may easily be missed or simply be unmeasurable at present, even though a number of studies show that endocrine disruption has probably occurred. The well-documented case studies of tributyltin effects in mollusks and of insect growth regulators, the latter as purposely synthesized endocrine disruptors, are explained to support this view. According to our present knowledge, there is no reason to suppose that such far-reaching changes are in any sense unique. The additional existing evidence for ED in invertebrates from laboratory and field studies are summarized as an update and amendment of the EDIETA report from 1998. Finally, conclusions about the scale and implications of the observed effects are drawn and further research needs are defined.

scholarly journals Several environmental oestrogens are also anti-androgens

1998 ◽  
Vol 158 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Sohoni ◽  
JP Sumpter
Keyword(s):  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Sex Steroids ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Current Interest ◽  
Androgen Action ◽  
Specific Objective ◽  
Androgenic Activity

There is presently considerable interest in endocrine disruption which is a new area of endocrinology concerned with chemicals that mimic hormones, in particular sex steroids. It has been hypothesised that exposure to such chemicals may be responsible for adverse effects in both humans and wildlife. Until now, chemicals that mimic oestrogens (so-called xenoestrogens) have been the main focus of endocrine disruption research. However, recent evidence suggests that many abnormalities in the male reproductive system may be mediated via the androgen receptor. By blocking androgen action, exposure to an anti-androgen may cause changes similar to those associated with oestrogen exposure. We have used in vitro yeast-based assays to detect oestrogenic, anti-oestrogenic, androgenic and anti-androgenic activities in a variety of chemicals of current interest. We show that many of the so-called 'environmental oestrogens' also possess anti-androgenic activity. The previously reported anti-androgenic activities of vinclozolin and p,p'-1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) were confirmed. We also found that o,p'-1,1,1,-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), bisphenol A and butyl benzyl phthalate were anti-androgenic. However, not all xenoestrogens are also anti-androgenic, because nonylphenol was found to be a weak androgen agonist. Our results demonstrate that hormone-mimicking chemicals can have multiple hormonal activities, which may make it difficult to interpret their mechanisms of action in vivo. Although not a specific objective of this study, our results also demonstrate that yeast-based assays are powerful tools with which to investigate both agonist and antagonistic hormonal activities of chemicals.

scholarly journals Endocrine Disruption Alters Developmental Energy Allocation and Performance in Rana temporaria

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Ruthsatz ◽  
Kathrin H Dausmann ◽  
Steffen Reinhardt ◽  
Tom Robinson ◽  
Nikita M Sabatino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Rana Temporaria ◽  
Energy Allocation ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Energetic Efficiency ◽  
Metamorphic Climax ◽  
Carry Over

Abstract Environmental change exposes wildlife to a wide array of environmental stressors that arise from both anthropogenic and natural sources. Many environmental stressors with the ability to alter endocrine function are known as endocrine disruptors, which may impair the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis resulting in physiological consequences to wildlife. In this study, we investigated how the alteration of thyroid hormone (TH) levels due to exposure to the environmentally relevant endocrine disruptor sodium perchlorate (SP; inhibitory) and exogenous L-thyroxin (T4; stimulatory) affects metabolic costs and energy allocation during and after metamorphosis in a common amphibian (Rana temporaria). We further tested for possible carry-over effects of endocrine disruption during larval stage on juvenile performance. Energy allocated to development was negatively related to metabolic rate and thus, tadpoles exposed to T4 could allocate 24% less energy to development during metamorphic climax than control animals. Therefore, the energy available for metamorphosis was reduced in tadpoles with increased TH level by exposure to T4. We suggest that differences in metabolic rate caused by altered TH levels during metamorphic climax and energy allocation to maintenance costs might have contributed to a reduced energetic efficiency in tadpoles with high TH levels. Differences in size and energetics persisted beyond the metamorphic boundary and impacted on juvenile performance. Performance differences are mainly related to strong size-effects, as altered TH levels by exposure to T4 and SP significantly affected growth and developmental rate. Nevertheless, we assume that juvenile performance is influenced by a size-independent effect of achieved TH. Energetic efficiency varied between treatments due to differences in size allocation of internal macronutrient stores. Altered TH levels as caused by several environmental stressors lead to persisting effects on metamorphic traits and energetics and, thus, caused carry-over effects on performance of froglets. We demonstrate the mechanisms through which alterations in abiotic and biotic environmental factors can alter phenotypes at metamorphosis and reduce lifetime fitness in these and likely other amphibians.

scholarly journals Discovery of an Undocumented Lake Sturgeon Spawning Site in the Headwaters of the Niagara River

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 266-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel D. Neuenhoff ◽  
Jonah L. Withers ◽  
Lori A. Davis ◽  
Nicholas D. Markley ◽  
Stephanie Dowell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Early Life History ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Western Basin ◽  
Niagara River ◽  
Spawning Site ◽  
Spawning Sites

Abstract Information about spawning fish is important to stock-assessment data needs (i.e., recruitment and fecundity) and management (i.e., habitat connectivity and protection). In Lake Erie, information about Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens early-life history is available for the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair system in the western basin, but fisheries biologists know comparatively little about Lake Sturgeon in the eastern basin. Although researchers have summarized historical spawning areas, no known natural Lake Sturgeon spawning site is described in Lake Erie proper. Researchers documented a remnant population of reproductively mature Lake Sturgeon near the headwaters of the Niagara River in eastern Lake Erie in 2011. Researchers hypothesized that a spawning site was likely in the immediate vicinity of the Niagara River headwaters near Buffalo Harbor, New York; however, its exact location was unknown. We attempted to locate spawning sites near the confluence of the Niagara River using egg traps at three potential spawning sites. We identified Lake Sturgeon eggs at one of these sites using morphological and genetic techniques. Lake Sturgeon eggs collected on one sampling trip began to emerge when placed in preservative, confirming that eggs deposited at this site are fertilized and viable, and that the area supports viable embryos. This discovery fills data gaps in the early-life history for this population, which has domestic and international management implications with respect to proposed recovery targets, stock assessment models, habitat remediation efforts, and status determinations of a protected species in a geographic region designated as an Area of Concern by the International Joint Commission.

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