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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue
Published on: April 26, 2017
Aromatase modulation alters gonadal differentiation in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Martina Fenske1, Helmut Segner
1Department of Chemical Ecotoxicology, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany. m.fenske@exeter.ac.uk
Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|March 9, 2004
Summary
Compounds interfering with cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) disrupt zebrafish sex differentiation. Fadrozole caused masculinization, while 17alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) caused feminization, altering gene expression persistently.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Aquatic Toxicology
Background:
- Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a model organism for studying vertebrate sex determination.
- Cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) plays a critical role in sex differentiation by converting androgens to estrogens.
- Environmental contaminants can interfere with endocrine pathways, potentially disrupting normal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of P450arom inhibitors and androgens on zebrafish gonadal sex differentiation.
- To determine if these effects are persistent and impact gene expression patterns.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish were treated with fadrozole (aromatase inhibitor) or 17alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) during the gonadal differentiation period (days 35-71 post-fertilization).
- Gonadal morphology was assessed, and gene expression of CYP19A (gonadal) and CYP19B (cerebral) was analyzed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR.
- Fish were maintained under control conditions post-treatment to assess persistence of effects.
Main Results:
- Fadrozole treatment resulted in 100% masculinization and suppressed gonadal CYP19A expression.
- MT treatment led to complete feminization and altered CYP19A and CYP19B expression patterns.
- Effects on gonad morphology and gene expression persisted even after treatment cessation.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous compounds targeting the P450arom system can disrupt zebrafish gonadal sex differentiation.
- These disruptions can be persistent, affecting both morphology and gene expression.
- Zebrafish are sensitive to endocrine-disrupting chemicals affecting P450arom activity.
