Effects of Barium Chloride Exposure on Hormones and Genes of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonad Axis, and Reproduction of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2016 Mar;96(3):341-6. doi: 10.1007/s00128-016-1731-9. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Abstract

Adult zebrafish pairs were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of BaCl2 for 21 days, and the effects on reproduction, sex steroid hormones, and transcription of the genes belonging to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis were investigated. The adverse effects on performances of F1 generation were further examined with or without subsequent exposure to BaCl2. Egg production was significantly decreased, and parental exposure to BaCl2 resulted in lesser rates of hatching. In males, exposure to BaCl2 resulted in greater concentrations of E2 along with greater mRNA expression of cyp19a. The results demonstrated that BaCl2 could modulate gene transcriptions and hormone production of the HPG axis in a sex-dependent way, which could cause adverse effects on reproduction and the development of offspring.

Keywords: Barium chloride; Endocrine disruption; HPG axis; Reproduction; Zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aromatase / genetics
  • Barium Compounds / toxicity*
  • Chlorides / toxicity*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism*
  • Gonads / drug effects*
  • Gonads / metabolism
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects*
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / metabolism
  • Male
  • Reproduction / drug effects*
  • Sex Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish* / genetics
  • Zebrafish* / metabolism

Substances

  • Barium Compounds
  • Chlorides
  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • barium chloride
  • Aromatase
  • Cyp19a1a protein, zebrafish