Male goldfish reproductive behaviour and physiology are severely affected by exogenous exposure to 17 beta-estradiol

• Mature male goldfish were exposed to different concentrations of the natural hormone 17 beta -estradiol (El). Two methods of exposure were employed, via ingestion at 0, 1, 10 and 100 ug/g food and via the water at 0, 1 and 10 mug/l. The fish were exposed fur 74-28 days during the spawning period. The males were then paired with an artificially induced, spawning female and their sexual behaviour was observed during a 15 min period. The physiological status of the fish was also examined with respect to GSI. presence of milt and spawning tubercles and the blood plasma concentration of E-2. Despite the relatively short exposure period. exposure to physiological levels of E-2 was shown to severely affect the male goldfish reproductive behaviour and physiology. In conclusion, the results from this study and the ability to interpret the effects on this well-studied species, show that the effects of E-2, and possibly other estrogenic EDCs have severe effects at several vital levels of male goldfish reproduction. The results also suggests that the hormone E-2 can act as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) in the environment.

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