Park, Chang-Beom Kim, Go-Eun Kim, Young Jun On, Jiwon Park, Chang-Gyun Kwon, Young-Sang Pyo, Heesoo Yeom, Dong-Huk Cho, Sung-Hee 2024-01-19T16:32:32Z 2024-01-19T16:32:32Z 2021-09-02 2020-10 0269-7491 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/118066 This study aimed to investigate the effect of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), one of the major phthalate metabolites that are widespread in aquatic environments, on reproductive dysfunction, particularly on endocrine activity in adult male and female zebrafish. For 21 days, the zebrafish were exposed to test concentrations of MEHP (0, 2, 10, and 50 mu g/mL) that were determined based on the effective concentrations (ECx) for zebrafish embryos. Exposure to 50 mu g/mL MEHP in female zebrafish significantly decreased the number of ovulated eggs as well as the hepatic VTG mRNA abundance when those of the control group. Meanwhile, in female zebrafish, the biosynthetic concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and the metabolic ratio of androgen to estrogen were remarkably increased in all MEHP exposed group compared with those in the control group, along with the elevated levels of cortisol. However, no significant difference was observed between these parameters in male zebrafishes. Therefore, exposure to MEHP causes reproductive dysfunction in female zebrafishes and this phenomenon can be attributed to the alteration in endocrine activities. Moreover, the reproductive dysfunction in MEHP-exposed female zebrafishes may be closely associated with stress responses, such as elevated cortisol levels. To further understand the effect of MEHP on the reproductive activities of fish, follow-up studies are required to determine the interactions between endocrine activities and stress responses. Overall, this study provides a response biomarker for assessing reproductive toxicity of endocrine disruptors that can serve as a methodological approach for an alternative to chronic toxicity testing. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. English ELSEVIER SCI LTD DISRUPTION WATER DI-(2-ETHYLHEXYL)-PHTHALATE DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL)ADIPATE EXPRESSION TOXICITY ESTERS ASSAYS GENES DEHP Reproductive dysfunction linked to alteration of endocrine activities in zebrafish exposed to mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) Article 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114362 1 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, v.265 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 265 scie scopus 000564558300005 2-s2.0-85086930690 Environmental Sciences Environmental Sciences & Ecology Article DISRUPTION WATER DI-(2-ETHYLHEXYL)-PHTHALATE DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL)ADIPATE EXPRESSION TOXICITY ESTERS ASSAYS GENES DEHP A response biomarker MEHP Reproductive dysfunction Stress response VTG mRNA