Are in vitro methods for the detection of endocrine potentials in the aquatic environment predictive for in vivo effects? Outcomes of the Projects SchussenAktiv and SchussenAktivplus in the Lake Constance Area, Germany.

Many studies about endocrine pollution in the aquatic environment reveal changes in the reproduction system of biota. We analysed endocrine activities in two rivers in Southern Germany using three approaches: (1) chemical analyses, (2) in vitro bioassays, and (3) in vivo investigations in fish and snails. Chemical analyses were based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Effects of test media on reproduction in Potamopyrgus antipodarum and of pre-exposure population densities on sensitivity to cadmium in a reproduction test.

Molluscan species can be affected by various anthropogenic substances. Yet, these effects are disregarded in chemical risk assessment as molluscs are unrepresented in standard OECD guidelines. The project "validation of a mollusc reproduction test" (Federal Environment Agency, code 371165417) deals with the development of a test method with the mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum for OECD purposes.

Ecotoxicological effect characterisation of widely used organic UV filters.

Chemical UV filters are used in sun protection and personal care products in order to protect consumers from skin cancer induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of three common UV filters butyl-methoxydibenzoylmethane (B-MDM) ethylhexyl-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and octocrylene (OCR) on aquatic organism, focussing particularly on infaunal and epibentic invertebrates (Chironomus riparius, Lumbriculus variegatus, Melanoides tuberculata and Potamopyrgus antipodarum). Due to their life habits, these organism are especially affected by lipophilic substances.

Imposex development in Nucella lapillus--evidence for the involvement of retinoid X receptor and androgen signalling pathways in vivo.

Imposex in female gastropods is a widely documented masculinisation phenomenon in response to tributyltin (TBT) exposure. Although it is generally accepted that imposex is a case of endocrine disruption the underlying mechanisms are controversially discussed with aromatase inhibition and retinoid X receptor (RXR) signalling pathways as two conflicting hypotheses. Hence, we performed injection experiments with the marine dogwhelk Nucella lapillus.

Freshwater mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) estrogen receptor: identification and expression analysis under exposure to (xeno-)hormones.

Molluscs are raising attention as ecotoxicological test organisms due to their high diversity and ecological importance. The ovoviviparous prosobranch gastropod Potamopyrgus antipodarum (freshwater mudsnail) responds very sensitively to xenobiotics and has therefore been proposed as OECD standard test organism. Endocrine disrupting chemicals influence the reproduction of P.