Effects and bioaccumulation of 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol following long-term exposure in crucian carp

• Significant reduction in body weight, body length and GSI, increases in HSI and plasma VTG levels were observed in laboratorial-exposed fish, which indicated a time- and concentration-dependent manner.
• High-back crucian carp were generally more sensitive to EE2 than E2.
• The bioaccumulation and toxicological effects in the binary exposure groups were more obvious than individual groups, but they did not show additive effects.
• High-back carp can be used as a potential model species to investigate toxicology of EDCs.

Bioaccumulation and effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) were assessed by crucian carp (Carassius auratus) following single and binary mixture exposures in flow-through exposure system for 16 months. In comparison with water control (DWC) and solvent control (SC), a significant reduction in body weight, body length and gonadosomatic index (GSI), and increase in hepatosomatic index (HSI) and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) levels were observed, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of E2 and EE2 in fish muscle ranged from 3.2 to 40 and from 64 to 123, respectively. Crucian carp were found to be more sensitive to EE2 than E2. The bioaccumulation and toxicological effects in binary mixture exposed fish (mixture of E2 and EE2) were more significant than exposure of individual compound. Crucian carp is sensitive to E2 and EE2 in long-term laboratory exposure experiments and can be used as a potential model species for investigating the toxicity of hormones.

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