PT04 Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Wastewater Treatment Effluents
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Tuesday
(PT062A) Endocrine Physiology of Southern California Flatfish Collected Near Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Outflow - Apparent Stress and Growth Endocrine Disruptions.
Reyes, J1, Sak, K1, Galima, M1, Armstrong, J2, Hagstrom, R1, Vidal, D1, Bay, S1, Kelley, K1, 1 Endocrine Laboratory & Marine Biology Program, Dept. Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA2 Orange County Sanitation District, Fountain Valley, CA, USA
ABSTRACT- Connections between environmental contamination and impairment of endocrine mechanisms regulating stress responses and growth in marine fish are not understood. We are beginning to identify potential alterations in the endocrine physiology of local flatfish captured near the WWTP outflow of two southern California sanitation districts. Hornyhead turbot, Pleuronichthys verticalis, and English sole, Parophrys vetulus, are emphasized in the studies, as these species are typically present at depths and locations where the outflow pipes exist, thereby increasing their potential to be exposed to contaminants associated with effluents. Fish were caught by trawling at sites immediately proximal to the outflow and compared with fish caught at sites at varying distances therefrom. In comparison with fish from outside locations, individuals sampled near the outflow exhibited an impaired stress response, as they exhibited significantly blunted plasma cortisol surges in response to trawling and handling stressors. In addition, fish from the outflow locations have significantly reduced plasma concentrations of the growth-stimulatory hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Associated with these changes were significantly elevated 17beta-estradiol in both males and females, concomitant with increased immunoreactive vitellogenin. The connections between cortisol, IGF-I, growth, and estradiol will be discussed. In conclusion, our data suggest that essential endocrine systems, namely those regulating the ability to respond to stress and regulating growth and anabolism, are significantly impaired in fish putatively exposed to WWTP effluents. [Supported by NSF grant IBN-0115975 & CA Sea Grant College Program NOAA NA06RG042 2002-03, project # R/F-192]
Key words: stress, flatfish, estradiol, IGF-I