Vitellogenin production in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a biomarker of aquatic contamination by environmental estrogens

Professorial Chair Lecture

Diamond Jubilee Professorial Chair Lecture

Abstract

A wide range of environmental pollutants have demostrated estrogenic activity thus raising concern on their ability to affect reproductive functions in humans and other vertebrates, including fish. A widely used biomarker that has been utilized in biomonitoring exposure to environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) is the presence of the egg yolk precursor vitellogenin (Vtg) in the serum of male fish and juveniles. The adverse impact of Vtg synthesis on the health and reproductive capacity of fish has been demonstrated in various researches. However, ecotoxicological studies on xenoestrogens have more commonly utilized Vtg measurements as well as examination of gonadal histopathology, fecundity, breeding success and development in the evaluation of the reproductive effects of these compounds in fish. These combined parameters are said to provide a more detailed picture on the biological effects of environmental estrogens.

Quantification of the Vtg protein in estrogen-exposed male fish and juveniles more frequently makes use of the sandwich ELISA, with either Vtg or its breakdown product, lipovitellin (Lv) as antigen and standard. This immunoassay usually makes use of blood, serum samples, or whole body homogenates in fish model organisms. One of the recommended species for testing endocrine disrupting compounds is the zebrafish (Danio rerio), which has shown suitability in the analyses of Vtg and other biological responses of exposure to exogenous estrogen treatment. Its being cost-effective also makes the zebrafish a desirable test organism for local research on exotoxicology.

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

College

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Language

English

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