PARENT SESSION
18 - Endocrine Disruption
8:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday, 13 May 2002
Exhibition Area

(18-33) The effects of the synthetic oestrogen, 17 Estradiol on the embryonic development of the amphipod, Chaetogammarus marinus.

Ford, Alex^*,1, Read, Paul¹, Robinson, Craig², Davies, Ian², Fernandes, Teresa¹, ¹ Napier University, Edinburgh, UK² Fisheries Research Service, Aberdeen, UK

ABSTRACT- Over the past decade there has been increasing reports that both natural and man-made chemicals can interfere with the normal endocrine systems of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. However, the effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) on invertebrate species and their populations are poorly understood. One potential source of EDCs into the environment is the discharge of natural and synthetic hormones in municipal sewage, some of which have been linked with estrogenic activity in many fish species. Although current wastewater treatment methods remove a large proportion of the total hormone burden from the effluent, the actual environmental concentration, fate and behaviour of natural and synthetic hormones discharged are unknown. Investigations are ongoing into the effects of the synthetic oestrogen 17-Estradiol on the growth and development of the embryonic stages of the amphipod, Chaetogammarus marinus. This species proved an ideal sentinel species for EDCs studies, C. marinus is abundant and widespread around North Eastern Europe, reproduces sexually; is sexually dimorphic; easily cultured; and with relatively fast generation times. C. marinus is intertidal inhabiting both marine and estuarine waters, thus potentially in areas susceptible to high sewage discharge. Embryonic development in amphipods is well documented and stages of development can be easily quantified. Previous experiments investigating the effects of alkylphenols, insecticides and fungicides on crustacean embryonic development have shown embryonic development can be arrested and developmental abnormalities can occur. Eggs extracted from anaesthetised females were separated and cultured ex vivo in graded concentrations of 17-Estradiol, with mortality, egg growth, development stages, and time of hatching being recorded. The effects of 17--Estradiol upon amphipod embryo development are discussed in relation to consequences at the population and community level.

Key words: Endocrine Disruption, Crustacean, Development, Estradiol