Journal of Environmental Biology

Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of Bisphenol-A on male

freshwater prawn Macrobrachium asperulum

Author Details

Kai-Hsiang Huang

Institute of Fisheries Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106, R.O.C.

Yuh-Wen Chiu

Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University,

Kaohsiung, Taiwan 807, R.O.C.

Shu-Yin Wang

Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, Chinese Culture University, Yang Ming Shan, Taipei, Taiwan

111, R.O.C.

Hon-Cheng Chen

Institute of Fisheries Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106, R.O.C.

Da-Ji Huang

(Corresponding author)

Department of Environmental Resources Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and

Science, Tainan, Taiwan 717, R.O.C.

e-mail: daji@ms19.hinet.net

Publication Data

Paper received:

25 October 2010

Revised received:

19 April 2011

Accepted:

23 April 2011

Abstract

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a known endocrine-disrupting chemical that is distributed world wide, is extensively employed in industry, dentistry and consumer household products. This study was conducted to explore the estrogenic effects of BPA on the male freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium asperulum, by examining the daily survival rate, molting frequency, hepatosomatic index (HSI), and levels of vitellogenin-like protein. Results revealed that BPA can elicit the expression of vitellogenin-like protein (0.09 and 0.09 mg P?(mg protein)^-1, respectively) in male organisms exposed to 0.1 and 1 ng l^-1 BPA at day 7. Moreover, prawns were perceived to be sensitive to estrogenic compounds. Hence, it can be concluded that M. asperulum can be used as a species for biomonitoring, and levels of vitellogenin-like protein in males are a useful biomarker for detecting estrogenic contaminations.

Key words

Biomonitoring species, Bisphenol-A, Endocrine disrupter, Macrobrachium asperulum, Vitellogenin?

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