Vitellogenin induction and increased plasma 17beta-estradiol concentrations in male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, exposed to organochlorine pollutants and polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons.

Vitellogenin (Vtg), 17beta-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) were used as biomarkers of endocrine disruption in mature male nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from three lakes (Rio, Enmedio and Limon) in Chiapas, Mexico. Vitellogenesis induction was found in tilapias from Rio and Limon, moderately high E(2) levels in Rio and Limon tilapias, compared with controls (cultured tilapias). Significant correlations between benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) metabolites and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) with Vtg and E(2) were found. The results of this study indicate that endocrine disruption exists in tilapias from Rio and Limon lakes, and that exposure to HCB and BaP could be causing these alterations.