Steroid levels in crinoid echinoderms are altered by exposure to model endocrine disruptors

Abstract: Sexual steroids (testosterone and estradiol) were measured in the whole body of wild specimens of the crinoid Antedon mediterranea collected from the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy). Testosterone levels (274–1488pg/g wet weight (w.w.)) were higher than those of estradiol (60–442pg/g w.w.) and no significant differences between males and females were observed. No clear seasonal trend was either detected – individuals from February, June and October 2004 analyzed – apart from a peak of estradiol in males in autumn. Nonetheless, dramatic changes on tissue steroid levels were observed when individuals were exposed to model androgenic and anti-androgenic compounds for 2 and 4 weeks. The selected compounds were 17α-methyltestosterone (17α-MT), triphenyltin (TPT), fenarimol (FEN), cyproterone acetate (CPA), and p,p′-DDE. Endogenous testosterone levels were significantly increased after exposure to 17α-MT, TPT and FEN, while different responses were observed for estradiol; 17α-MT and FEN increased endogenous estradiol (up to seven-fold), and TPT lead to a significant decrease. Concerning the anti-androgenic compounds, CPA significantly reduced testosterone in a dose-dependent manner without altering estradiol levels, whereas specimens exposed to p,p′-DDE at a low dose (24ng/L) for 4 weeks showed a four-fold increase in T levels. Overall, the data show the ability of the selected compounds to alter endogenous steroid concentrations in A. mediterranea, and suggest the existence in this echinoderm species of vertebrate-like mechanisms that can be affected by exposure to androgenic and anti-androgenic chemicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]