Induction of in vitro vitellogenin synthesis by bisphenol, nonylphenol and octylphenol in Chinese minnow (phoxinus oxycephalus) hepatocytes

Abstract

Bisphenol A {(BPA),} nonylphenol {(NP),} and 4‐tert‐octylphenol {(OP)} are known endocrine disrupting chemicals {(EDCs)} with estrogenic activity in fish. This study compared the effects of {BPA,} {NP} and {OP} on in vitro vitellogenin {(VTG)} synthesis in primary cultures of hepatocytes of the Chinese minnow Phoxinus oxycephalus. The {VTG} secreted into the culture medium was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay {(ELISA),} which we developed in this study using an antibody prepared from homogenates of Chinese minnow egg. {VTG} synthesis was induced by estradiol‐17β {(E2)} and phenols {(BPA,} {NP} and {OP)} treatment. E2 at concentrations of 10‐6 M or higher increased {VTG} levels significantly {(P<0.05).} Exposure to 10‐5 M {BPA} or 10‐4 M {NP} and {OP} induced in vitro {VTG} synthesis {(P<0.01).} However, 10‐3 M {BPA,} {NP} or {OP} did not induce {VTG} synthesis. These results suggest that {BPA} has the highest estrogenic potential in Chinese minnow hepatocytes. Tamoxifen, an anti‐estrogen, drastically blocked the production of {VTG} by phenols (...