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Abstract

The effects of suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals on freshwater and marine prosobranch species were analysed in laboratory experiments. In this last of three publications, the responses of the fresh water snail Marisa cornuarietis and of two marine prosobranchs (Nucella lapillus, Nassarius (Hinia) reticulatus) to the antiandrogenic model compounds cyproterone acetate (CPA) and vinclozolin (VZ) are presented. The snails were exposed to nominal CPA concentrations of 1.25 mg/L alone and simultaneously to a potent synthetic estrogen (ethinylestradiol), androgen (methyltestosterone) or an indirectly acting xeno-androgen (tributyltin) in experiments with adult specimens and in a life cycle test for 12 months. Marisa and Nucella were furthermore exposed to nominal concentrations of 0.03-1.0 microgram VZ/L for up to 5 months. The antiandrogens induced a number of biological responses in all three species. The length of the penis and of accessory male sex organs (e.g., penis sheath, prostate) were significantly reduced. For Marisa, this effect occurred only in sexually immature specimens and was reversible as the males attained puberty. Typical androgen-mediated responses (imposex development, delayed spermatogenesis, tubulus necrosis of the testis with orchitis and Leydig cell hyperplasia) were partially or totally suppressed by a simultaneous administration of CPA. In the two marine species even adult, sexually mature males responded to antiandrogens with a reduction of the male sex organs and an advancement of the sexual repose phase. The results for CPA and VZ are compared with the effects of an exposure to xeno-estrogens (bisphenol A, octylphenol) and xeno-androgens (triphenyltin, tributyltin) in the same species. Each group of endocrine disruptors induces a characteristic set of toxicological effects in prosobranch snails which can be used as endpoints in an organismic invertebrate test for the identification of endocrine mimetic test compounds. Estrogens cause primarily an induction of superfemales resulting in an increased female mortality by the enhancement of spawning mass and egg production. The main effects of androgens are a virilization of females by imposex development and a marked decrease of the fecundity. Compared with estrogens and androgens, the antiandrogen responses seem to be less drastic and might have--in contrast to the two other disruptor classes--no biologically significant effects at the population level.

Effects of chlordecone on 20-hydroxyecdysone concentration and chitobiase activity in a decapod crustacean, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

“…Although EDC effects have been extensively described in aquatic vertebrates (Kortenkamp et al, 2011;LeBlanc, 2007), only few studies have examined the effects of EDCs in invertebrates, although they represent the major part of the animal kingdom (DeFur et al, 1999). This lack could be partially due to the fact that the endocrine system of invertebrates is still obscure (Tillmann et al, 2001). It has nevertheless been observed that EDCs can also disrupt invertebrate physiology.…”

Is There a Causal Association between Genotoxicity and the Imposex Effect?

“…This finding indicates a carcinogenic potential of TPT in this species (Schulte-Oehlmann et al 2000). Tillmann et al (2001) report that a co-exposure of dog-whelks to the antiandrogenic model compound cyproterone acetate and to potent androgens such as TBT and TPT resulted in partial or even total suppression of imposex proliferations in dog-whelks. This result suggests that the observed neoplasia under sole TBT or TPT exposure are androgen-mediated.…”

Proteomic Analysis of the Reproductive Organs of the Hermaphroditic Gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis Exposed to Different Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

“…Therefore, some mollusc species are already used as bio-indicators in the field (e.g. Nucella lapillus , Littorina littorea ) [7,8] or as test species in laboratory (e.g., Potamopyrgus antipodarum , Marisa cornuarietis ) [9,10]. The hermaphroditic gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis has been shown to be responsive to EDCs such as organotin compounds (i.e., TBT and TPT), some pesticides and industrial products (e.g., vinclozolin, nonylphenol) [11-14].…”

“…Moreover, cyproterone acetate decreased penis length and spermatogenesis in the gastropods, Hinia reticulata and N . lapillus [10]. Chlordecone binds to the vertebrate oestrogen receptor [41] albeit with relatively low affinity [42].…”