STRATEGY FOR ASSESSING IMPACTS OF THYROID DISRUPTING CHEMICALS IN TELEOSTEANS

Peer reviewe

Thyroid dysfunction in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): Underlying mechanisms and effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on thyroid hormone physiology and metabolism

peer reviewedaudience: researcher, professional, student, popularization, otherThe current study examines the effect of subchronic exposure to a mixture of Aroclor standards on thyroid hormone physiology and metabolism in juvenile sea bass. The contaminant mixture was formulated to reflect the persistent organic pollution to which the European sea bass population could conceivably be exposed (0.3, 0.6 and 1.0 g 7PCBs per g food pellets) and higher (10 g 7PCBs per g food pellets). After 120 days of exposure, histomorphometry of thyroid tissue, muscular thyroid hormone concentration and activity of enzymes involved in metabolism of thyroid hormones were assessed. Mean concentrations of 8, 86, 142, 214 and 2279 ng g−1 ww ( 7 ICES PCB congeners) were determined after 120 days exposure. The results show that the effects of PCB exposures on the thyroid system are dose-dependent. Exposure to environmentally relevant doses of PCB (0.3–1.0 g 7PCBs per g food pellets) induced a larger variability of the follicle diameter and stimulated hepatic T4 outer ring deiodinase. Muscular thyroid hormone levels were preserved thanks to the PCB induced changes in T4 dynamics. At 10 times higher concentrations (10 g 7PCBs per g food pellets) an important depression of T3 and T4 levels could be observed which are apparently caused by degenerative histological changes in the thyroid tissue

Thyroid endocrine disruption in situ and in vivo experiments reveals compensatory mechanisms

We compared effects of in situ and in vivo exposure of EDC on teleost thyroid system in order to get a complete picture of the putative interactions. A 120-day experimental exposure was designed in combination to in situ measurements of persistent organic pollutants in 87 wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) form European estuaries. Seventy-five individuals were exposed to doses of PCB (0.3 to 1.0 µg Σ7PCBs per g food pellets) that reflects the persistent organic pollution to which the European sea bass population could conceivably be exposed. We applied a series of recommended measurement endpoints in these studies. The centrally controlled thyroidal secretion of T4 was monitored adequately from the muscular T4 levels and from thyroid histological appearance. Muscular T3 levels and enzymatic deiodinase and sulfatase activities in liver were measured. Observations made in experimental exposure to environmental relevant doses of PCB were consistent with those made in our field study. In both studies the muscular T4 levels were unaffected and no multivariate relationship with contaminant exposure could be revealed. Measurements of follicular diameter and epithelial cell heights showed no significant differences. Our findings revealed an increase of the hepatic T4ORD activity by higher chlorinated PCB congeners and DDTs. In both studies, we observed a general decrease the thyroid hormone conjugation by sulfatases that increases their solubility and facilitates their excretion. The muscular T3 levels were well preserved. These changes likely represent compensatory responses to disrupting effects that might otherwise have depressed T3 levels. This approach permitted us to interpret the causes and implications of alterations of the teleost thyroid system

Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Thyroid Hormone Physiology and Metabolism of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

peer reviewedaudience: researcher, professional, student, popularization, otherStudies in the laboratory have shown that a number of synthetic and natural chemicals can interfere with the endocrine system in fish. Among them, organic compounds such as pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are well described endocrine disrupters. Of particular interest are effects on thyroid function, but data on effects of PCB exposure on these hormones and related metabolism has been lacking. We propose here a thorough approach to assess effects of these compounds on the thyroid function of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). An experimental exposure of sea bass to commercial PCB mixtures has been designed to understand underlying toxicity mechanisms and effects on the thyroid system. After 120 days of exposure, muscular thyroid hormone concentrations and the main metabolic pathways for thyroid hormones (deiodination, glucuronidation and sulfatation) were assessed. Exposure to environmental relevant doses of PCB (from 0.3 to 0.9 ppm [7 ICES PCB]). alters hepatic T4 outer ring deiodinase and T4 sulfatation whereas T4 glucuronidation was not affected. Owing to the extensive autoregulatory feedback at both central and peripheral levels, the thyroid hormone concentrations were preserved despite the PCB induced changes in thyroid hormone dynamics. At 10 times higher concentrations (10 ppm [7 ICES PCB]). an important depression of muscular T3 and T4 levels could be observed which are apparently caused by other mechanisms than metabolic pathways. Further analysis is required to evaluate thyroid gland function and secretion. These results support the observations made in our field study in wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from coastal regions near several important European rivers mouths

Polychlorinated Biphenyls affect Histological Appearance of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Thyroids

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are well-described endocrine disrupters and of particular interest are effects on thyroid function. We propose here a thorough approach to assess effects of these compounds on the thyroid function of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). An experimental exposure of sea bass to commercial PCB mixtures has been designed to understand underlying toxicity mechanisms and effects on the thyroid system. After 120 days of exposure histological appearance of thyroid tissue was assessed by light and electron microscopy. The follicle area, perimeter, diameter, length and with of every follicle cross section were interactively measured. The shape of the follicles was described with three dimensionless shape descriptors: roundness, form factor and aspect ratio. The histomorphometrical analysis showed a greater heterogeneity of thyroid follicle diameter and especially higher epithelial cell heights in sea bass exposed to environmental relevant doses of PCB (from 0.3 to 0.9 μg g-1 [7 ICES PCB]). Ultrastructural histological investigations showed that the epithelial cells surrounding the bigger follicles present an higher accumulation of colloid droplets. This was interpreted to be the result of increased stimulation of follicular cells. No differences in shape could be identified among the different treatment groups The size of the follicles and the form of the follicular cells gives an indication of the secretary activity of the gland. These observations support the hypothesis that the contamination of PCB mixtures can induce a hyperactivity of the thyroid tissue. These observations were confirmed by measurements of muscular thyroid hormone concentrations and activity thyroid hormone metabolism

Thyroid hormone disrupting chemicals in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from European coasts

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides like Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDTs), Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), aldrin, dieldrin and trace elements (Cd, Cu, Se, Pb, Zn and Hg) were analysed in the muscle of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) sampled in coastal regions near several important European river mouths (Gironde, Charente, Loire, Seine and Scheldt). These potential endocrine disrupting chemicals were present in European coastal waters. Even if their concentrations were well below the Maximum Residue Limits set by the governments, they induced alterations of the endocrine system. We established correlations between contaminant concentrations and effects on the thyroid system in sea bass. The contaminants induced modifications of the metabolic pathways of thyroid hormones and enhanced thyroid hormone synthesis. The activity of T4 Outer Ring Deiodinase was increased, that leads to an intensified conversion of thyroxine (T4) to its more biologically active form triiodothyronine (T3). Meanwhile, the activity of T4 sulfatation was reduced, that leads to a lowered biliary excretion of thyroid hormones. The modified metabolic pathways of the thyroid hormones can be interpreted as a tool to homeostatically maintain the thyroid hormone status. Of all tested compounds, the higher chlorinated PCBs seemed to be the most implicated in this perturbation. The nature of thyroid hormone synthesis, signalling and regulation is highly conserved among vertebrates. Although we cannot extrapolate thyroid toxicity data directly from one species to another, these environmental factors may well affect thyroid function in other species, including humans