Research article summary (published 30 Jun 2009):

Sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus) males exposed to an endocrine disrupting chemical fail in nest and mate competition.

Full Abstract

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a widely studied group of chemicals that interfere with the endocrinology of organisms. So far, few studies have demonstrated the effect of EDCs on the reproductive behavior of aquatic wildlife. Here we show that sand goby males' (Pomatoschistus minutus) success in mating competition greatly decreases after an exposure for 7 to 24 days to 17alpha-ethinyl estradiol (EE2, measured concentration 4 ng L(-1)). The sand goby exhibits a polygynous mating system with male parental care, in which males compete for nest sites and females. The aim of this study was to test how EE2 exposure affects the ability of males to compete for breeding resources, i.e. nest sites and mates. First, EE2 exposed males competed over a nest site against a non-exposed, control male of the same size. Secondly, we examined male courtship behavior and female mate preferences for EE2 exposed males and similar-sized non-exposed, control males. In addition to the behavioral experiments we determined the zona radiata protein (Zrp) mRNA gene expression and measured morphometric indicators of sexual maturation. Our study revealed that EE2 treated males were not able to acquire or defend a nest site. Additionally, EE2 treated males spent significantly less time in active courtship and nest leading behavior than control males. As a result, females clearly preferred to mate with control males. However, we found no significant differences in Zrp mRNA expression or the morphometric indicators between treatments. Our study illustrates that exposure to this EDC can greatly reduce the chances of an individual reproducing successfully. Moreover, it demonstrates that severe behavioral effects can be seen before any effects are detectable at the molecular or morphometric level.

Author information

Author/s: Saaristo, Minna (M); Craft, John A (JA); Lehtonen, Kari K (KK); Lindström, Kai (K);

Affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Minna.Saaristo(-atsign-)helsinki.fi

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Hormones and behavior (Horm Behav), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 56 (issue 3) : pp 315-21

Dates: Created 2009/09/07; Completed 2009/11/04;

PMID: 19576897, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/4/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Analysis of Variance Animals Courtship Egg Proteins - metabolism Endocrine Disruptors - pharmacology Estrogens - pharmacology Ethinyl Estradiol - pharmacology Female

Male Mating Preference, Animal - drug effects; physiology Nesting Behavior - drug effects; physiology Perciformes - physiology RNA, Messenger - metabolism Random Allocation Sexual Behavior, Animal - drug effects; physiology Time Factors

Associated Chemicals: Egg Proteins (0) ; Endocrine Disruptors (0) ; Estrogens (0) ; RNA, Messenger (0) ; zona radiata protein, fish (0) ; Ethinyl Estradiol (57-63-6)

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