Estrone exposure interacts with temperature to alter predator evasion performance and systemic mRNA abundances

Megan K Cox; Jessica L Ward; Michelle Matsuura; Raingsey Aing; Heiko L Schoenfuss; Satomi Kohno

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.142

Estrone exposure interacts with temperature to alter predator evasion performance and systemic mRNA abundances

Sci Total Environ. 2019 Nov 20:692:519-528. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.142. Epub 2019 Jul 17.

Authors

Megan K Cox¹, Jessica L Ward², Michelle Matsuura¹, Raingsey Aing¹, Heiko L Schoenfuss¹, Satomi Kohno³

Affiliations

¹ Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, 720 Fourth Avenue South, Saint Cloud, MN 56301, United States.
² Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, 720 Fourth Avenue South, Saint Cloud, MN 56301, United States; Department of Biology, Ball State University, Cooper Life Sciences Building. 2000 West University Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306, United States.
³ Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, 720 Fourth Avenue South, Saint Cloud, MN 56301, United States. Electronic address: skohno@stcloudstate.edu.

PMID: 31351294
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.142

Abstract

Environmental estrogens from anthropogenic activities are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems. Ambient temperature in these systems also fluctuates in daily, seasonal, and long-term rhythms. While both factors have been studied extensively, their interaction on aquatic life is critical to understand. The objective of this study was, therefore, to examine how behavior and gene expression are impacted by estrogenic exposure across a range of environmental temperatures. Larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to estrone (E₁) at two concentrations (nominal 625 and 1250 ng/L) or to an ethanol solvent control, at one of four temperatures (15, 18, 21 and 24 °C) from fertilization to 21 days post-hatch. Exposed larvae were assessed for alterations in predator evasion performance and mRNA abundances of two genes for calcium channel receptors found in muscles - dihydropyridine receptor (dhpr) and ryanodine receptor 1, and the gonadal genes anti-Müllerian hormone, cytochrome P450 gonadal aromatase (cyp19a), doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (dmrt1) and estrogen receptor 1 (esr1). Larval escape angle, escape latency, as well as systemic esr1 and cyp19a mRNA abundances were altered by an interaction between E₁ concentration and temperature. E₁-exposed larval exhibited reduced escape performance across all tested temperatures, whereas decreased systemic dhpr mRNA abundance was observed only at 18 °C. E₁-exposure reduced systemic mRNA abundances of amh, cyp19a, dhpr, and ryr1, while temperature significantly reduced systemic cyp19a and dhpr mRNA abundances. E₁-exposure and temperature significant enhanced systemic mRNA abundances of esr1 and cyp19a, respectively. These complex results illustrate the importance of considering how abiotic factors may moderate the effects of contaminant exposure during the sensitive larval developmental stage, as temperature modulates effects of estrogenic exposure on animal performance and mRNA abundances.

Keywords: Climate; Estrogen; Fish; Gene expression; Larva; Performance.

MeSH terms

Animals
Avoidance Learning / drug effects*
Cyprinidae / physiology*
Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
Estrone / adverse effects*
Female
Fish Proteins / metabolism
Male
Predatory Behavior
RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
Temperature
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Fish Proteins
RNA, Messenger
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Estrone