Fish community characterization in two stretches upstream and downstream of the Lambro River confluence with the Po...

This study aimed to characterize the fish community in two stretches of the Po River, upstream and downstream of the Lambro River confluence, to verify the environmental effects of the presence of endocrine disrupters (EDs). More than 5000 specimens were captured, identified at the species level, and recorded for biometric parameters. Plasma, liver, and gonad fragments were sampled for histological and biochemical analyses. Few specimens belonging to carp and barbel showed gonads with the concomitant presence of male and female tissues and altered plasma levels of vitellogenin and sex steroids; thus, these species will be considered for successive environmental studies.