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Ligula intestinalis infection as a potential source of bias in the bioindication of endocrine disruption in the European chub Leuciscus cephalus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2024

M. Schabuss*
Affiliation:
Institute for Aquatic Ecotoxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria: Institute of Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A- 1090 Vienna, Austria
M. Gemeiner
Affiliation:
Institute for Medical Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria
A. Gleiß
Affiliation:
Institute for Aquatic Ecotoxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria: Institute of Medical Statistics, University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, A- 1090 Vienna, Austria
J.W. Lewis
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
I Miller
Affiliation:
Institute for Medical Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria
E. Möstl
Affiliation:
Institute for Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria
U. Schober
Affiliation:
Institute for Aquatic Ecotoxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria:
W. Tschulenk
Affiliation:
Institute for Histology and Embryology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria
I. Walter
Affiliation:
Institute for Histology and Embryology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria
B. Grillitsch
Affiliation:
Institute for Aquatic Ecotoxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A- 1210 Vienna, Austria:
*
*Fax: ++43 1 250774690 Email: Michael.Schabuss@vu-wien.ac.at
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Abstract

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European chub Leuciscus cephalus collected from five localities in the lowland and subalpine regions of Austria were analysed for oestrogenic effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the presence of the plerocercoid of the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis. Of 1494 chub analysed, only seven (six males, one female) were found to be infected with single, but large plerocercoids up to 15 cm in length. Ligula-infected fish showed comparatively immature gonads, as demonstrated by the gonadosomatic index and gamete developmental stages. Plasma levels of the egg precursor protein vitellogenin also showed concentrations ranging below the detection limit. The present results indicate that chub infected with L. intestinalis and exposed to exogenous oestrogenic compounds can result in reduced gonadal maturation and produce false oestrogen-positive diagnoses in male fish. For plasma vitellogenin levels, L. intestinalis infections can result in false oestrogen-negative diagnoses in male and female fish.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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