In vivo estrogenic activity of nonylphenol in rainbow trout

Estrogenic compounds have been shown to induce specific endocrine system responses in various species. The protein vitellogenin and its corresponding mRNA have been shown to be induced by estrogenic chemicals in aquatic species. In this investigation the estrogenic chemical nonylphenol was studied in rainbow trout for lethality, estrogenicity, and persistence of effects through the use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of liver vitellogenin mRNA. These results show that nonylphenol produces estrogenic effects in rainbow trout at concentrations well below the LC50. (C) 1996 Society of Toxicology