Contaminants of emerging concern in the reproductive physiology of teleosts

Abstract

Reproduction in fish is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonads (HPG) axis and modulated by environmental factors. Contaminants present in the water, resulting from human activities, affect the functioning of this axis, impairing reproduction. These compounds act as Endocrine Disruptors (EDC, Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals), interfering at different levels of neuroendocrine control of reproduction. In aquatic environments, several pharmaceuticals act as EDCs, and are considered Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC, Contaminants of Emerging Concern), that is, they can impact the health of organisms, but are not regulated by environmental legislation. Three pharmaceuticals were chosen, identified in relevant concentrations in the water bodies of the State of São Paulo, the anti-inflammatories ibuprofen (IBU) and diclofenac (DCF); and the neuropharmaceutical, carbamazepine (CBZ) and their action will be evaluated in the reproductive physiology of the teleost Astyanax lacustris, used as a model in ecotoxicological assays. Using experimental strategies in vivo, in vitro, environmentally relevant concentrations of these drugs, and biomarkers at different levels of biological organization, our aim is to evaluate the effects of CBZ, IBU and DCF (in the case of NSAIDs, the effects will be evaluated isolated and combined) on reproductive, metabolic variables in sexually mature males and females of A. lacustris. Considering that there are interactions of the HHG axis with the HH-thyroid (HHT) and HH-interrenal (HHI) axes, the effects of these pharmaceuticals will be evaluated at different levels of organization of these axes. Additionally, to assess whether the effects of these pharmaceuticals cause any harm to the offspring, the seminal quality parameters, the reproductive success, and the embryonic development of the F1 generation will be evaluated, whose parents (males and females, independently) were exposed to these compounds. (AU)