Urogenital papilla feminization in male Pomatoschistus minutus from two estuaries in northwestern Iberian Peninsula

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

Rodrigues, P (Author) Other; reis-henriques, ma (Author) ICBAS; Campos, J (Author) Other; Santos, MM (Author) REIT

Journal

Title: Marine Environmental Research

Vol. 62

Pages: S258-S262

ISSN: 0141-1136

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 29 Citations

Scopus - 29 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-Q9F

DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2006.04.032

Abstract (EN): Recently, male urogenital papilla feminization (UGPF) in the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus was reported in several UK estuaries with high levels of estrogenic compounds. The fact that this species is also common in southern European estuaries, together with its life-cycle characteristics, prompted us to investigate P. minutus UGPF in the northwestern of Iberian Peninsula. Specimens of P. minutus were periodically sampled during 2004 at several locations in two estuaries (Minho and Lima). Evidence for UGPF was recorded in both estuaries, the highest incidence being observed in the Lima estuary (50%). Estrogen levels (17 beta-estradiol and estrone) above 100 pg/l were observed in both estuaries, the higher concentrations being found in the Lima estuary. Overall, the results suggest a relationship between the feminization of male P. minutus urogenital papilla and the presence of estrogenic compounds. In the future, more in-depth studies are required in order to use P. minutus as a sentinel species for estrogenic compound monitoring in estuaries.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5