Detection of an estrogen receptor in two nematode species and inhibition of binding and development by environmental chemicals.

The presence of estrogen receptors or binding proteins was demonstrated in the free-living nematode species Panagrellus redivivus and Caenorhabditis elegans by radioimmunoassay. Twenty-five nanomolar concentrations of toxaphene, dieldrin, and dieldrin plus nonylphenol significantly inhibited estrogen binding to the receptor in P. redivivus. Binding was inhibited but not significantly by 25 nM nonylphenol, toxaphene plus dieldrin, or toxaphene plus nonylphenol. The current research supports the hypothesis that dieldrin, nonylphenol, and toxaphene may mimic estrogen, altering the normal pathways of estrogen metabolism. Based on observations of secondary sex structures, estrogenic chemicals had no effect on sex ratios or growth in Panagrellus redivivus, but caused a reduction of fecundity in this nematode. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.