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Augustine Arukwe,¹ Frank R. Knudsen,² and Anders Goksøyr¹

¹Laboratory of Marine Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; ²Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Abstract
Environmental estrogens have recently caused great concern because of their ability to mimic natural hormones and influence vital endocrine functions in humans and wildlife. The induction of vitellogenin (Vtg) synthesis by environmental estrogens in viviparous vertebrates has been proposed as an effective and sensitive biomarker of estrogenicity. Immunochemical analysis of plasma from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar ) exposed to 4-nonylphenol (NP) or to effluent from oil refinery treatment plant (ORTP) , shows that NP and ORTP effluent induces Vtg and zona radiata proteins (Zrp) in a dose-dependent manner. However, Zrp-ß cross-reactive proteins are more responsive than Zrp-, Zrp-, and Vtg. The sensitivity of Zrp induction points to the zona radiata proteins as alternate biomarkers of estrogenicity. Key words: aquatic ecotoxicology, biomarkers, eggshell protein, fish, nonylphenol, vitellogenin. Environ Health Perspect 105:418-422 (1997)

Address correspondence to A. Arukwe, Laboratory of Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, HIB, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.

We thank the Norwegian Research Council (NFR, Program for Ecotoxicology) and the European Environmental Research Organisation (EERO Environmental Toxicology-Network) for financial support. We also thank Kjersti Milde for rabbit immunization and Rong Chunjung for the zona radiata protein antiserum. The excellent technical assistance/support of M.L. Wiborg, E. Mona, and J. Stenersen at the Biology Department of Oslo University and Ø. Sundberg at Esso Slagentangen are greatly appreciated. We also want to thank Bernt Walther for comments on the manuscript.

Received 13 September 1996 ; accepted 5 November 1996.