Publication Abstract

Spiggin and intersex induction by DHT in juvenile three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Å. Andersson, I. Katsiadaki and E. Hahlbeck

The three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, has been suggested as a model fish species to study endocrine disrupting chemicals in European waters and therefore more information is needed about the species´ sensitivity to anthropogenic substances. In this study we have investigated the juvenile sticklebacks sensitivity to an androgen by using the endpoints intersexuality and induction of the androgen marker protein spiggin. Juvenile sticklebacks were exposed to the non-aromatisable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 1.0, 2.7, 7.4, 20 and 50 µg/L) in a flow-through system from hatch until the termination of the experiment between 40 and 49 days post hatch. Spiggin levels were significantly elevated after treatment with DHT at 7.4 µg/L and above. Based on nominal concentrations, the EC₅₀-value has been estimated to 4.5 µg/L.

Histological analysis for occurrence of intersex and total sex reversal combined with genetic sex identification is under way.

Reference:

Å. Andersson, I. Katsiadaki and E. Hahlbeck (2006) Spiggin and intersex induction by DHT in juvenile three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). SETAC Europe 16th annual meeting, The Hague, The Netherlands, 7-11 May 2006