Vitellogenin – Biomarker of Endocrine Disruption in Fish
Keywords:
aquatic environment, hormonal system, xenoestrogenic substancesAbstract
Vitellogenin is one of biomarkers in aquatic environment which is widely used for laboratory testing of the influence of estrogens, especially on the function of fish genitals. While normal concentration of vitellogenin is very low in wild male fish, their exposure to water containing endocrine disruptors causes rapid increase of vitellogenin. Vitellogenin can cause fertility disorders, such as feminization of male fish or histopathology changes of gonads, which could lead to suppression of reproduction of fish and therefore it could result in a reduction of the fish population.