Effect of 17 beta-estradiol, o,p '-DDT, octylphenol and p,p '-DDE on gonadal development and liver and kidney pathology in juvenile male summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

The intent of this study was to compare histopathologically the effect of 1 7 beta -estradiol (E-2), o,p'-DDT, octylphenol and p,p'-DDE on gonadal deve lopment and liver and kidney condition in sexually immature (juvenile) summ er flounder (Paralichthys dentatus). The dorsal sinus of 2-year-old juvenil e male summer flounder was injected with the appropriate amount of chemical incorporated in coconut oil. A second identical injection was administered 2 weeks later. Fish were sampled at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the initial inj ection and observed histopathologically. In control fish, spermatogenesis w as predominantly in mid to late maturation. In fish treated with 1.0 and 10 .0 mg/kg E-2 spermatogenesis regressed to primary spermatogonia or an immat ure functional state. Testicular atrophy and spermatogonial proliferation w as also observed. An eosin-positive, hyaline material was found in the gona d, liver and kidney. This eosinophilic material also stained positive with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain. Treatment of 30 or 60 mg/kg o,p'-DDT elic ited altered gonadal development similar to that observed with E-2 treated fish. Octylphenol treatment of 100 mg/kg resulted in reduced testicular siz e, ducts full of sperm, numerous spermatogonia and PAS positive material in the testis with no developing sperm cysts. No effect on liver or gonad tis sues was observed with p,p'-DDE at the concentrations tested. All chemicals tested, with exception of p,p'-DDE, altered gonadal development, whereas o nly E-2 caused histopathological changes in the liver and kidney. Estrogeni c activity induced the liver to produce a vitellogenin (VtG)-like substance and inhibited testicular maturation. As a result, both the lack of target cells for VtG and a continuous supply of VtG from the liver allowed the hya line material to accumulate in the liver, testis and kidney causing histopa thological changes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.