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ToxSci Advance Access published online on July 26, 2006
Toxicological Sciences, doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfl070
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org
Received June 1, 2006
Accepted July 10, 2006

Environmental Toxicology

The UV Filter 3-benzylidene Camphor Adversely Affects Reproduction in Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas)

Petra Y. Kunz 1, Thomas Gries 2, and Karl Fent 3 *

1 University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Ecopreneurship, St. Jakobs-Strasse 84, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland; University of Zürich, Institute of Plant Biology, Limnological Station, Seestrasse 987, CH-8802 Kilchberg, Switzerland
2 Springborn Smithers Laboratories (Europe) AG, Seestrasse 21, CH-9326 Horn, Switzerland
3 University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Ecopreneurship, St. Jakobs-Strasse 84, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Department of Environmental Sciences, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Karl Fent, E-mail: karl.fent{at}bluewin.ch


  Abstract

The UV filter 3-benzylidene camphor (3BC) is largely used in personal care products and in a number of materials for UV protection. 3BC has been shown in vitro and in vivo in fish to be estrogenic, but possible effects on fertility and reproduction are unknown. In this study we evaluate whether 3BC affects reproduction of fish Pimephales promelas. After a pre-exposure period of 21 days, reproductively mature fathead minnows were exposed to increasing concentrations of 3BC for 21 days in a static-renewal procedure. Actual 3BC concentrations decreased to 23% of initial levels and median concentrations were 0.5, 3, 33, 74 and 285 µg/L. 3BC affected reproduction in a dose-dependent manner with weak effects on fecundity at 3 µg/L, a significant decrease at 74 µg/L and a cessation of reproduction at 285 µg/L. 3BC was accumulated in fish with an average bioconcentration factor of 313±151. Dose-dependent demasculinisation in secondary sex characteristics of male fish and dose-dependent induction of plasma vitellogenin occurred, which was significant at 74 µg/L. 3BC had a profound and dose-dependent effect on the histology of gonads of males and female fish at 3 µg/L and higher. At 74 and 285 µg/L oocyte and spermatocyte development was inhibited in male and female gonads. Testes of exposed males had much fewer spermatogenic cysts, and ovaries of exposed females had much fewer mature, and more atretic follicles. This study shows significant effects of the common UV filter 3BC on fertility, gonadal development and reproduction of fish after short-term exposure that may have negative consequences on the population level.

Keywords: UV filters; 3-benzylidene camphor; Pimephales promelas; Reproduction; Vitellogenin induction; histology.
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