How estrogenic is nonylphenol? A transgenerational study using rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a test organism

The aim of the present study was to evaluate both estrogenic effects in directly NP-exposed sexually mature rainbow trout and possible transgenerational effects in the offspring of exposed fish. Four months prior to spawning, adult rainbow trout of both sexes were exposed intermittently to NP concentrations of 1 and 10 microg/l. At the end of the exposure period, which coincided with the beginning of spawning time, vitellogenin levels in the plasma of adult male rainbow showed a significant increase compared to the control group. After exposure to 10 microg NP/l reproduction was impaired as indicated by significantly reduced hatching rates. Histological examination of the testicular tissue of NP-exposed individuals revealed no morphological differences from the controls. In the offspring, vitellogenin levels of male individuals were not affected, whereas in females they were significantly higher than in the control progeny. The histological examination revealed no alteration in sex ratios. In single cases, intersex occurred in both male and female offspring of exposed fish. The analysis of sex steroid levels revealed a two-fold increase of estradiol in the plasma of male offspring and a 13-fold elevation of testosterone in the plasma of female progeny. The present findings indicate that NP, in an environmentally relevant concentration range, acts as a weak estrogen in directly exposed adult male rainbow trout as indicated by elevated plasma vitellogenin levels. Reproduction success was reduced as indicated by decreased hatching rates. Hormonal imbalances detected in the offspring of exposed fish indicate a transgenerational effect mediated by the endocrine system.