Vitellogenesis in male Fundulus heteroclitus (killifish) induced by selected estrogenic compounds.

The response of male Fundulus heteroclitus to estrogenic compounds was assessed in anticipation of using this species in endocrine disrupter field studies in the Chesapeake Bay. Measurements of plasma vitellogenin, gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic (HSI) indices, and an assessment of changes in gonadal histology were made. Of the parameters assessed, vitellogenin was found to be the most sensitive biomarker. Plasma vitellogenin production occurred in a dose-dependent manner in males exposed to 4-nonylphenol, 4-(tert-octyl)phenol, bisphenol-A, and 17beta-estradiol. There was some indication that the effect on GSI may be influenced by the season in which the experiments are carried out. Two time course experiments revealed that vitellogenin is a fairly long-lived biomarker in male F. heteroclitus. There was also evidence that fish from two moderately contaminated areas injected with 4-nonylphenol or bisphenol-A produced less vitellogenin than those collected from a more pristine habitat. Production of vitellogenin in male F. heteroclitus appeared similar to two other species dosed with the same compounds.