Environmental estrogens interact with and modulate the properties of plasma sex steroid-binding proteins in juvenile Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar )

• Published in: Marine Environmental Research
• Main Authors: Tollefsen, K.E., Meys, J.F.A., Frydenlund, J., Stenersen, J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://www.vliz.be/nl/open-marien-archief?module=ref&refid=211288

Environmental chemicals may modulate the endocrine system through interaction with plasma sex steroid-binding proteins (SBP) and SBP-regulated processes. Some of these chemicals, which are known to interact with the estrogen receptor (ER), were found to bind competitively to the Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) SBP and potentially disrupt the endocrine function of these proteins. Furthermore, both weakly acting (di-n-butyl phthalate) and potent estrogen mimics (ethynylestradiol), were able to induce a substantial up-regulation of circulating levels of SBP in vivo. Interestingly, modulation of SBP-levels was found to be a more sensitive endpoint than chemically induced interference with classical ER-mediated mechanisms for weakly acting estrogen mimics like di-(n-butyl) phthalate. Interference with the endocrine function of SBPs may thus introduce a novel mechanism for endocrine disruption, and give additional answers to the question why some weakly acting xenoestrogens are causing "estrogen-like" reproductive disturbances in developing males.