Reproductive impairment in female Atlantic croaker collected in the Houston Ship Channel 1991--1993
- Univ. of Texas, Port Aransas, TX (United States). Marine Science Inst.
A broad range of reproductive and endocrine indices were measured in female Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) collected over three reproductive seasons from contaminated sites along the Houston Ship Channel to determine whether these fish showed any evidence of reproductive impairment. The onset of puberty was delayed in some of the fish collected from the most contaminated site. In addition, ovarian growth as assessed by the gonadosomatic index was consistently impaired in individuals from this site. Although oocyte development was also adversely affected, these morphological changes were not accompanied by significant alterations in reproductive endocrine function. However, two biomarkers of contaminant exposure, hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities and glutathione levels showed site differences. These results demonstrate reproductive impairment in fish from heavily contaminated estuarine areas with potential long term hazards to fish populations.
- OSTI ID:
- 85951
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273-; TRN: IM9534%%22
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 15. annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Denver, CO (United States), 30 Oct - 3 Nov 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 15th annual meeting: Abstract book. Ecological risk: Science, policy, law, and perception; PB: 286 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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