The behavioral effects of exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemical, ethinyl estradiol, on the fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus)
Item
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Title
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The behavioral effects of exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemical, ethinyl estradiol, on the fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus)
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:8f78d22f9b85:10052
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identifier
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10081
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Creator
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Kuroiwa, Kristine K.,
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Contributor
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Jennifer Basil
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Date
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2009
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Ecology | Animal Physiology | Environmental science | apeltes quadracus | endocrine disrupters | environmental pollutants | ethinyl estradiol | fish behavior
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Abstract
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There is growing evidence that endocrine disrupting chemicals polluting the environment have the potential to affect animal health and behavior. Ethinyl estradiol (EE2), the active ingredient in contraceptive pills and hormone-replacement therapies, is a particularly potent endocrine disrupting chemical found in our waterways. In this study, adult male and female fish were used to investigate the effects of a 60 day EE2 exposure on (1) ecologically relevant behaviors, (2) gonadal state, and (3) male reproductive coloration. Exposure to levels of EE2 documented in the environment (10, 70 and 100 ng/L) detrimentally altered fish behavior. Fish exposed to EE2 were less active, more aggressive, and avoided an artificial predator less often. 100 days in clean water reversed some but not all of these behavioral changes. In both males and females, gonads in exposed groups differed from controls, and included the presence of ovotestes found only in males exposed to EE2. Reproductive coloration in males was not affected by exposure. This is the first report of long-lasting behavioral aberrations caused by EE2 exposure in adult fish.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Biology
