An integrated study on the effects of industrial pollutants in the reproductive biology of an endemic fish in a Mediterranean stream (NE Spain)

31st European Society for Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology (ESCPB), Shifting Biological Landscapes: from molecules to mechanisms, 9-12 September 2018, Porto, PortugalMediterranean rivers have been severely affected by pollutants from industry, agriculture and urban activities. Many of them are chemicals known to act as endocrine disruptors (EDCs). In this study we examined how industrial pollutants could affect the reproduction of the Catalan chub (Squalius laietanus). The study was conducted throughout the reproductive period of S. laietanus (from March to July of 2014) downstream an industrial WWTP located in the River Ripoll (NE Spain). 68 fish (35 males and 33 females) were caught by electrofishing to be compared with 80 fish (52 males and 28 females) from a less polluted site (upstream WWTP). For both sexes the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonadal histology was examined and related to water chemical analysis and fish biomarkers. Female fecundity was studied using the gravimetric method. Fish from the polluted site showed enhanced biomarker responses involved in detoxification. In this affected site, both sexes had lower GSI values and females had lower number of vitellogenic oocytes. The study of gonadal histology showed that all maturation stages of testicles and ovaries of fish were present at the two study sites. However, males from the polluted site had lower diameter seminiferous tubules. Results in this study also confirmed higher presence of EDCs in the river downstream the industrial WWTP which were likely responsible for alterations in the reproductive biology of S. laietanusPeer Reviewe