Publication Abstract

The presence of morphologically intermediate papilla syndrome (MIPS) in UK populations of sand goby (Pomatoschistus sp.): Endocrine Disruption?

The presence of morphologically intermediate papilla syndrome (MIPS) in UK populations of sand goby (Pomatoschistus sp.): Endocrine Disruption?

M.F. Kirby, J. Craft, R.A. Dyer, S.W. Feist, G. Jones, J. Bignell, P. Matthiessen, E. Brown, C. Robinson, and I. Davies.

The sand goby (Pomatoschistus sp.) is a small fish ubiquitous to estuarine and coastal environments in the UK. The abundance, short life history and relatively sedentary nature of the species were factors that lead to its adoption as a key species for the investigation of estuarine endocrine disruption in fish as part of the UK endocrine disrupters in the marine environment (EDMAR) programme.

Two closely related species P. minutus and P. lozanoi were sampled from locations in 11 UK estuaries. Certain of the sites are known to receive significant inputs of oestrogenically active effluents and surveys have shown that locally caught flounder, Platichthys flesus, exhibit clear signs of endocrine disruption. This study investigated the presence of 'classic' markers of oestrogenic exposure by looking at induced levels of vitellogenin (VTG) and zona radiata protein (ZRP) mRNA and the occurrence of ovotestis in male gobies. A novel morphological marker of feminisation was also assessed in the sexually dimorphic uro-genital papilla (UGP) an organ used in sperm deposition and oviposition. Laboratory exposures of gobies to ethynyl oestradiol and 17 β oestradiol were conducted to ascertain the response criteria of the species to VTG and ZRP mRNA induction and UGP morphological changes respectively.

None of the male fish showed evidence of ovotestis or VTG or ZRP mRNA induction even when collected from environmental areas of known contamination. Laboratory exposures suggested that their sensitivity with respect to VTG and ZRP mRNA induction was of a similar order to that seen in flounder. However, close inspection of the UGP in wild caught specimens revealed evidence of the development of terminal villi (normally associated with female papillae) in male papillae. This condition was denoted morphologically intermediate papilla syndrome (MIPS) and was generally more prevalent in the areas of known oestrogenic contamination. Furthermore, a proportion of gobies experimentally exposed to 17 β oestradiol for 13 weeks and in which VTG and ZRP induction was observed, began to exhibit signs of the MIPS condition suggesting that it can be induced by oestrogenic endocrine disruption.

The estuaries where the MIPS condition was most prevalent (>50% at certain sites) were the Tees, Mersey and Clyde. The potential of the MIPS condition to significantly interfere with reproductive performance is discussed as well as its use as a monitoring tool for endocrine impacts in the estuarine environment.

Reference:

M.F. Kirby*, J. Craft, R.A. Dyer, S.W. Feist*, G. Jones*, J. Bignell, P. Matthiessen*, E. Brown, C. Robinson, and I. Davies  (2003) The presence of morphologically intermediate papilla syndrome (MIPS) in UK populations of sand goby (Pomatoschistus sp.): Endocrine Disruption? Environmental Toxicilogy and Chemistry:  22 (2)   239-251

M.F. Kirby*, J. Craft, R.A. Dyer, S.W. Feist*, G. Jones*, J. Bignell, P. Matthiessen*, E. Brown, C. Robinson, and I. Davies

Environmental Toxicilogy and Chemistry: 22 (2) 239-251