Effects of nonylphenol on key hormonal balances and histopathology of the endangered Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius)

Endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) potentially pose a hazard to endangered species. Evaluation of the sensitivity of these species to EDCs could be helpful for protecting their populations. So, the present study investigated the adverse effects of nonylphenol, an EDC, on the endocrine hormones and histopathology of male and female juvenile Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) following 21 days of exposure to nominal concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 μg/l. The results showed that the HSI and plasma total calcium of male and female fishes exposed to 100 μg/l nonylphenol were significantly increased compared with the control groups (P < 0.001). The male plasma T3 level was significantly decreased in 10 (P < 0.01) and 100 (P < 0.001) μg/l nonylphenol. The female T3 level increased in 1 μg/l nonylphenol concentration (P < 0.05). The plasma T4 of males showed significant elevation in fishes exposed to 100 μg/l nonylphenol (P < 0.05), but no change for females in any of treatment groups relative to controls (P > 0.05). No significant effect of nonylphenol exposure was observed on male plasma TSH levels (P > 0.05), whereas, in females, nonylphenol at all concentrations significantly reduced TSH levels. A bell-shaped response was observed in male and female plasma GH levels. Moreover, various histopathological lesions were observed in gill and intestine tissues of fishes exposed to different nonylphenol concentrations. These results demonstrate the high sensitivity of this endangered species to even environmentally relevant concentrations of nonylphenol. Furthermore, Caspian brown trout could be used as bioindicators reflecting the toxicity of nonylphenol.