Impact of xenoestrogens on sex differentiation and reproduction in teleosts

Abstract

Among vertebrates, teleosts display a wide array of sex determination and differentiation mechanisms ranging from chromosomal sex determination on one end of the spectrum to environmental sex determination on the other end. However, the interplay of both these mechanisms is also not uncommon. Several gonochoristic fishes exhibit gonadal plasticity often resulting in sex reversal. The major manipulation of sex differentiation in teleost is affected by sex steroids. In this context, the increasing contamination of aquatic ecosystems by estrogen-like compounds, commonly known as xenoestrogens, is of major concern. This often leads to deleterious effects on the reproductive success of fish and thereby adversely impacts aquatic biodiversity. In the present review, we have focused on impact of xenoestrogen at different levels of the reproductive system influencing not only gonadal differentiation in teleosts but also their reproductive functions. The review would also explore the mitigation strategies and regulations in place for aquatic xenoestrogen management.

Keywords

• Xenoestrogen
• Teleost
• Sex differentiation
• Gonad
• Intersex
• Reproduction