Sex-different effects of tributyltin on brain aromatase, estrogen receptor and retinoid X receptor gene expression in rockfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus)

Since the brain plays important roles in reproduction, the brain aromatase (Cyp19b), estrogen receptor (ER), retinoid X receptor (RXR) alpha and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma were examined in rockfish after TBT exposure (1, 10, and 100 ng L-1). The results showed that the Cyp19b expression was elevated in the male rockfish, while no effect was produced in the females. Inconsistently, serum testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol showed no change in the males, while an increase of testosterone and a decrease of 17 beta-estradiol were observed in the females. TBT affected the ER expression in the males depending on the concentrations, however, no change was observed in the females. In addition, TBT elevated the RXR alpha expression in the males but produced an opposite effect in the females. In conclusion, TBT might have had sex-different effects on the brain Cyp19b, ER and RXR expression in rockfish, indicating a complex endocrine disrupting effect of TBT. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.