Is Antarctica still pristine? Nototheniod fish as sentinel species of endocrine disruption.

FERREIRA, M.F.; LO NOSTRO, F. L.; ANSALDO, M.; GENOVESE, G.

Congreso; 12th Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Latin America; 2017

In recent years, concern has arisen regarding chemicals in the Antarctic environment. Although several studies have reported the presence of pollutants in water, sediments and biota, little is known about effects of these compounds in the Antarctic ichthyofauna. Due to their known and perceived impacts, a number of sensitive biomarkers have been developed to detect endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), and are useful in understanding the mechanisms in which diverse chemicals exert their toxicities. These biomarkers includes vitellogenin (Vtg; a sex-specific protein) induction in males and histopathological analysis. In the present study we analyzed these endpoints in Notothenia rossii and N. coriiceps (Perciformes, Nototheniidae; cod icefish), two species with wide Antarctic distribution.