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(56-02) Can mysid shrimp help us assess possible endocrine disruptive effects in marine environments? Verslycke, Tim*,1, Janssen, Colin1, 1 Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent, - ABSTRACT- Mysids are used frequently in toxicity studies and there is growing interest in developing toxicity tests with mysids that are indigenous to local ecosystems. Furthermore, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has included mysid shrimp as part of a tiered approach in its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. In this context, we are examining Neomysis integer (Crustacea; Mysidacea) as a potential test organism for determining the effects of endocrine disruptors on northern European estuarine biota. A consortium between different European laboratories has been established for a multidisciplinar and fundamental research effort into the use of this species for ecotoxicological testing in marine environments. Cellular and physiological biomarkers for endocrine disruption related to the energy (cellular energy allocation; Verslycke and Janssen, J. Exp. Biol., submitted) and steroid metabolism of N. integer (testosterone metabolism; Verslycke et al., Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., accepted) have been developed and are under an inter-laboratory validation. The cellular and physiological biomarkers are related to field observations (mysid body-burdens, biomarker responses in the field) and field concentrations of selected endocrine disruptors (e.g. tributyltin, brominated flame retardants, phtalates, ...) in the Scheldt estuary (Netherlands). Results of these biomarker studies and field samplings will be highlighted and suggestions on the use of this invertebrate model to test possible endocrine disruptive effects in estuarine environments will be commented on. Key words: endocrine disruption, Neomysis integer, invertebrate, biomarkers |
