Localisation of estrogen responsive genes in the liver and testis of Murray rainbowfish Melanotaenia fluviatilis exposed to 17β-estradiol

The localisation of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and vitellogenin (VTG) transcripts were examined in the liver and testis in male rainbowfish exposed to 17β-estradiol (E2; 0, 50 and 500 ng/L) via the water for up to 7 days. The ER transcripts were localised within the perinuclear region of the hepatocytes and were up-regulated with E2 exposure. A parallel induction of liver VTG transcripts and protein was observed within 24 h, followed by a time-dependent increase in VTG protein. In the testis, both ERs were up-regulated in the germ and epithelial cells, while VTG protein was detected in the cellular space surrounding the spermatids and in association with the connective tissue of the sperm tubules. These results indicate that the ERs are positively auto-regulated in the liver and testis of male rainbowfish. The cellular localisation of VTG within the testis may suggest implication in the mediation of adverse effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals such as testicular growth inhibition, testis-ova and sex reversal.