Effect of fenthion on the level of vitellogenin in goldfish, Carassius auratus

Abstract

The estrogenic effect of fenthion, an insecticide, in goldfish (Carassius auratus) was examined in terms of the induction of vitellogenin, a biomarker of estrogens in fish. When male goldfish were kept in water containing diethylstilbestrol (0.1 mg/l) or nonylphenol (0.5 mg/l) for 5 days, a significant level of vitellogenin in the blood was observed. However, vitellogenin was not detected in the blood of male goldfish kept in water containing fenthion (3 mg/l) for 5 days. When female goldfish were kept in water containing fenthion for 5 days, the levels of vitellogenin in the blood were not enhanced. Furthermore, fenthion sulfoxide and fenthion sulfone, the oxidized products of fenthion, did not induce vitellogenin in male goldfish. These results suggest that fenthion and its oxidized products do not produce estrogenic activity in goldfish.