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(T/MF205) Hepatocyte proliferation, steroid levels, and sperm motility in 'VTG-positive' male flounder. Kleinkauf, Anne1, Scott, Allen2, Kime, David3, Simpson, Micheal1, Leah, Rick1, 1 2 3 ABSTRACT- Male flounder (Platichthys flesus L.) from the Mersey estuary were shown to have elevated plasma vitellogenin (VTG) levels over the past 4 years. VTG levels were quantified by ELISA and RIA. To assess possible biomarkers linked to VTG production, the following parameters were measured. Keto-testosterone and oestradiol levels were determined by ELISA. Hepatocyte proliferation indices were calculated from immunohistochemical analysis, using PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) as a marker. Compared to indices of males from the neighbouring Dee estuary hepatocyte proliferation was slightly elevated. Dee male flounder have in the past not shown signs of endocrine disruption. Sperm motility was assessed using CASA (computer assisted sperm analysis/ Hobson sperm tracker). Sperm motility of Mersey male flounder was not found to be impaired, measured against values from Dee males. Neither hepatocyte proliferation indices nor sperm motility values were found to accurately mirror the 'VTG' induction in male Mersey flounder. Key words: endocrine disruption, hepatocyte proliferation, sperm motility, flounder |
