The synthetic progestin levonorgestrel is a potent androgen in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus).
Environ Sci Technol
; 47(4): 2043-51, 2013 Feb 19.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23362984
ABSTRACT
The use of progestins has resulted in contamination of aquatic environments and some progestins have in experimental studies been shown to impair reproduction in fish and amphibians at low ng L(-1) concentrations. The mechanisms underlying their reproductive toxicity are largely unknown. Some progestins, such as levonorgestrel (LNG), exert androgenic effects in mammals by activating the androgen receptor (AR). Male three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) kidneys produce spiggin, a gluelike glycoprotein used in nest building, and its production is directly governed by androgens. Spiggin is normally absent in females but its production in female kidneys can be induced by AR agonists. Spiggin serves as the best known biomarker for androgens in fish. We exposed adult female sticklebacks to LNG at 5.5, 40, and 358 ng L(-1) for 21 days. Androgenic effects were found at LNG concentrations ≥40 ng L(-1) including induction of spiggin transcription, kidney hypertrophy, and suppressed liver vitellogenin transcription. These are the first in vivo quantitative data showing that LNG is a potent androgen in fish supporting the contention that androgenic effects of certain progestins contribute to their reproductive toxicity.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Levonorgestrel
/
Contraceptive Agents, Female
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Smegmamorpha
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Fish Proteins
/
Endocrine Disruptors
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Sci Technol
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Sweden