Effects of acidic water, aluminum, and manganese on testicular steroidogenesis in Astyanax altiparanae

Author(s)

Silva Kida, Bianca Mayumi ; Abdalla, Raisa Pereira ; Moreira, Renata Guimaraes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY; v. 42, n. 5, p. 1347-1356, OCT 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Metals can influence the gonadal steroidogenesis and endocrine systems of fish, thereby affecting their reproduction. The effects of aluminum and manganese in acidic water were investigated on steroidogenesis in sexually mature male Astyanax altiparanae. Whether mature male fish recover from the effects of metals in metal-free water was also assessed. The fish were exposed to 0.5 mg L-1 of isolated or combined aluminum and manganese in acidic pH (5.5) to keep the metals bioavailable. The fish underwent 96 h of acute exposure, and samples were taken 24 and 96 h after the beginning of the experiment. The fish were then maintained in metal-free water for 96 h. Plasma levels of testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, 17 beta-estradiol, and cortisol were measured. Acidic water increased the plasma concentration of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone. Aluminum increased the testosterone levels after 96 h of exposure. Manganese increased the 17 beta-estradiol levels after 24 h of exposure and maintained at high levels until the end of the experiment. With the exception of acidic pH, which increased cortisol levels after 24 h of exposure, no changes were observed in this corticosteroid during the acute experiment. Aluminum and manganese together also altered steroid levels but without a standard variation. The fish recovered from the effects of most exposure conditions after 96 h in metal-free water. A. altiparanae could use reproductive tactics to trigger changes in testicular steroidogenesis by accelerating spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, which may interfere with their reproductive dynamics. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/57687-0 - Effects of global climate change of the Brazilian fauna: a conservation physiology approach
• Grantee: Carlos Arturo Navas Iannini
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/15056-6 - Effects of exposition of aluminium and manganese on gonad steroidogenesis in males of Astyanax bimaculatus (Teleostei: Characidae)
• Grantee: Bianca Mayumi Silva Kida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 12/50918-1 - Behavioral performance in ectothermic vertebrates: responses to environmental change
• Grantee: Carlos Arturo Navas Iannini
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants