Endocrine active contaminants in aquatic systems and intersex in common sport fishes

Crystal S.D. Lee Pow, J. Mac Law, Thomas J. Kwak, W. Gregory Cope, James A. Rice, Seth W. Kullman, D. Derek Aday

Male fish are susceptible to developing intersex, a condition characterized by the presence of testicular oocytes. In the present study, the relationship between intersex and exposure to estrogenic endocrine active contaminants (EACs) was assessed for 2 genera of sport fish, Micropterus and Lepomis, at 20 riverine sites. Seasonal trends and relationships between EACs and intersex (prevalence and severity) were examined at varying putative sources of EACs throughout North Carolina, identified as 'point', 'non-point' and 'reference' sites. Intersex was identified in both genera, where we documented it for the first time in wild-caught Lepomis. Intersex was more prevalent (59.8%) and more severe (1.6 mean rank) in Micropterus, which was highly correlated to EACs in sediment. In contrast, intersex was less common (9.9%) and less severe (0.2 mean rank) in Lepomis and was highly correlated to EACs in the water column. We found that concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, industrial EACs and estrogens were highest at point source sites, but identified no source type variation in the prevalence or severity of intersex; nor were there seasonal trends in intersex or EAC concentrations. Our results associate genus-specific prevalence of intersex with specific EAC classes in common sport fishes with biological, ecological and conservation implications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.