Effects of the synthetic progestin levonorgestrel on some aspects of thyroid physiology in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of levonorgestrel (LNG), a synthetic progestin, on early development and the thyroid system of carp using morphological, histological, immunohistochemical, and gene expression analysis. Fish were exposed to LNG at three levels (3, 31, and 310 ng L) from eggs to the onset of juvenile stage (47 days). LNG had no significant effect on early development in common carp or on the occurrence of morphological anomalies.

Octinoxate as a potential thyroid hormone disruptor - A combination of in vivo and in vitro data.

Ultraviolet filters are commonly used in various cosmetic products. Due to their huge consumption ultraviolet filters become a part of the environment. Octinoxate is a commonly used ultraviolet filter that is widely detected in the aquatic environment.

Two synthetic progestins and natural progesterone are responsible for most of the progestagenic activities in municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents in the Czech and Slovak republics.

Vast numbers of xenobiotics are known still to be present in treated municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. Some of these possess endocrine-disrupting potency and pose risks for exposed aquatic animals. We searched for 17 potential environmental contaminants having affinity to the progesterone receptor.

Effect of cadmium on uptake of iron, zinc and copper and mRNA expression of metallothioneins in HepG2 cells in vitro.

The intake of cadmium contaminated fish was mimicked by incubating human hepatoblastoma cells (Cell line HepG2) with a combination of different levels of cadmium (0-5μM) plus the n-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, which are typical for fish. Uptake of cadmium, iron, copper and zinc was measured by ICP-MS. In addition mRNA expression of two metallothioneins (mt1 g and mt1 m) was evaluated by real-time PCR.

Comparison of passive sampling and biota for monitoring of tonalide in aquatic environment.

Synthetic musk compounds are extensively used in personal care and cosmetic products all over the world. Afterwards, they are discharged into the environment mainly because they are not completely removed in wastewater treatment plants. The aim of this study was to investigate if a passive sampler is applicable for the monitoring of tonalide, a polycyclic musk compound, in the aquatic environment and to compare the levels of tonalide in pesticide-polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) and biota.

Effect of the human therapeutic drug diltiazem on the haematological parameters, histology and selected enzymatic activities of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

Diltiazem is a pharmaceutical belonging to a group of calcium channel blockers (CCB) that is widely used in the treatment of angina pectoris and hypertension. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of diltiazem on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Juvenile trout were exposed for 21 and 42 days to three nominal concentrations of diltiazem: 0.

Investigation of diltiazem metabolism in fish using a hybrid quadrupole/orbital trap mass spectrometer.

Rationale: Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker drug, is widespread in the environment because of its incomplete elimination during water treatment. It can cause negative effects on aquatic organisms; thus, a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method to detect its presence was developed. Our approach is based on accurate mass measurements using a hybrid quadrupole-orbital trap mass spectrometer that was used to measure diltiazem and its metabolites in fish tissue.

Histopathological alterations of the heart in fish: proposal for a standardized assessment.

Histopathological alterations in the heart are often reported in fish as a result of exposure to a variety of chemical compounds. However, researchers presently lack a standardized method for the evaluation of histopathological alterations in the cardiovascular system of fish and the calculation of an 'organ index'. Therefore, we designed a method for a standardized assessment and evaluation of histopathological alterations in the heart of fish.

Bioconcentration, metabolism and half-life time of the human therapeutic drug diltiazem in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

Diltiazem is a human therapeutic drug and a member of the group of calcium channel blockers having widespread use in the treatment of angina pectoris and hypertension. The objective of the present study was to assess the bioconcentration, metabolism, and half-life time of diltiazem in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Juvenile trout were exposed for 21 and 42 days to three nominal concentrations of diltiazem: 0.

The challenge presented by progestins in ecotoxicological research: a critical review.

Around 20 progestins (also called gestagens, progestogens, or progestagens) are used today in assisting a range of medical conditions from endometrial cancer to uterine bleeding and as an important component of oral contraception. These progestins can bind to a wide range of receptors including progestin, estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoid, and mineralocorticoid receptor, as well as sex hormone and corticosteroid binding globulins. It appears that only five of these (four synthetic and one natural) progestins have so far been studied in sewage effluent and surface waters.

The progestin levonorgestrel disrupts gonadotropin expression and sex steroid levels in pubertal roach (Rutilus rutilus).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the synthetic progestin levonorgestrel (LNG) on the reproductive endocrine system of a teleost fish, the roach (Rutilus rutilus). Pubertal roach were exposed for 28 days in a flow-through system to four concentrations of LNG (3, 31, 312, and 3124 ng/l). Both males and females treated with 3124 ng/l LNG exhibited the upregulated levels of vitellogenin and oestrogen receptor 1 mRNA in the liver.

Toxic effects, bioconcentration and depuration of verapamil in the early life stages of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Verapamil is a pharmaceutical that belongs to a group of calcium channel blockers and is mainly used as a treatment of angina pectoris and arterial hypertension. Verapamil has been detected in aquatic environments in concentrations ranging from ng L(-1) to μg L(-1). In the present study, a series of acute toxicity tests of verapamil on various developmental stages of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were conducted.

Up-regulation of gonadotropin mRNA-expression at the onset of gametogenesis in the roach (Rutilus rutilus): evidence for an important role of brain-type aromatase (cyp19a1b) in the pituitary.

The present study characterized changes in key parameters of reproduction in adult roach (Rutilus rutilus) from Lake Grosser Mueggelsee (Berlin, Germany) during natural gametogenesis. Fish of both sexes were sampled in monthly intervals between April and August in order to cover the onset of gametogenesis. Investigated parameters included gonad histology, plasma levels of 17β-oestradiol (E2), testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), and 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P) as well as the expression of gonadotropin subunits in the pituitary.

Nutritional status and gene expression along the somatotropic axis in roach (Rutilus rutilus) infected with the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis.

The tapeworm Ligula intestinalis inhibits gametogenesis of its fish host, the roach (Rutilus rutilus). We investigated whether L. intestinalis infection makes significant demands on nutritional resources and consequently manipulates the endocrine somatotropic axis of roach.

Toxicity study of antimicrobial peptides from wild bee venom and their analogs toward mammalian normal and cancer cells.

Recently, we have isolated and characterized remarkable antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from the venom reservoirs of wild bees. These peptides (melectin, lasioglossins, halictines and macropin) and their analogs display high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, antifungal activity and low or moderate hemolytic activity. Here we describe cytotoxicity of the above-mentioned AMPs and some of their analogs toward two normal cell lines (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVEC, and rat intestinal epithelial cells, IEC) and three cancer cell lines (HeLa S3, CRC SW 480 and CCRF-CEM T).

Stage-dependent differences in RNA composition and content affect the outcome of expression profiling in roach (Rutilus rutilus) ovary.

The influence of changing composition and content of RNA on the results of expression profiling was studied in the group-synchronous ovaries of roach (Rutilus rutilus) over the course of their maturation. The highest yield of total RNA was detected in the primary growth and early cortical alveolus stages. The total RNA yield gradually decreased through the late cortical alveolus and late vitellogenic stages.

Inhibition of gametogenesis by the cestode Ligula intestinalis in roach (Rutilus rutilus) is attenuated under laboratory conditions.

Reproductive parameters of Ligula intestinalis-infected roach (Rutilus rutilus) which were held under long-tem laboratory conditions with unlimited food supply were investigated. Although uninfected and infected roach showed no difference in condition factor and both groups deposited perivisceral fat, the gonadosomatic-index was significantly lower in infected female and male roach. Quantitative histological analysis revealed that gonad development was retarded upon parasitization in both genders.

Effect of nitrite on early-life stages of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

A one-month chronic exposure of common carp larvae and embryos to nitrite revealed significant (p < 0.01) differences in total accumulated mortality in fish exposed to 33, 67, and 330 mg/L NO(2)(-) compared with controls. At the highest concentration, all fish died within 8 d of exposure.

Induction of vitellogenin and gonadal impairment in chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.) after exposure to 17beta-estradiol and testosterone.

Objectives: A controlled laboratory study was carried out to quantify vitellogenin (VTG) concentrations in a common cyprinid freshwater fish, the chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.), exposed to steroid hormones.

Design: The effect of 17betaestradiol, testosterone and testosterone-estradiol mixture was investigated on vitellogenin induction.

Naturally-induced endocrine disruption by the parasite Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda) in roach (Rutilus rutilus).

Fish represent the most frequently used vertebrate class for the investigation of endocrine disruption (ED) in wildlife. However, field studies are complicated by exposure scenarios involving a variety of anthropogenic and natural influences interfering with the endocrine system. One natural aspect rarely considered in ecotoxicological studies is how parasites modulate host physiology.

Endocrine disruption in aquatic vertebrates.

Environmental compounds can interfere with endocrine systems of wildlife and humans. The main sink of such substances, called endocrine disrupters (ED), are surface waters. Thus, aquatic vertebrates, such as fish and amphibians, are most endangered.

The effect of praziquantel applied per os on selected haematological and biochemical indices in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the anthelminthic, praziquantel, on the haematological and biochemical indices of the blood of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Fish were divided into six groups: two groups received 30 mg kg(-1) body weight (bw) of praziquantel, and two groups were given 50 mg kg(-1) bw of praziquantel mixed into the heat-treated amyloid vehicle.

Effects of pollution on chub in the River Elbe, Czech Republic.

The Elbe River is one of the most polluted aquatic ecosystems in the Czech Republic. The effect of three major chemical plants located on the Elbe River (at Pardubice, Neratovice, and Usti nad Labem) on fish was studied in 2004. Health status, chemical concentrations (Hg, PCB, DDT, HCH, HCB, OCS, 4-tert-nonylphenols, 4-tert-octylphenol) in muscle, and biomarkers (hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), plasma vitellogenin, and plasma 11-ketotestosterone) were assessed in male chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.