Estrogenic response in Japanese turtle (Mauremys japonica) exposed to ‎petroleum hydrocarbon

Expressions of the estrogen receptors and vitellogenin in Japanese turtle (Mauremys japonica) in response to petroleum hydrocarbon were studied. A total of ۱۵ male turtles were exposed to ۱.۰۰ mg L-۱ of a sample of an oil spill, and ۱۵ male and ۱۵ female turtles were served as controls without an oil spill. The transcripts' results demonstrated an increase over time with greater expression of vitellogenin I in males exposed to petroleum with significant differences. In the case of vitellogenin II, the expression was greater than control males, but it was similar to the values of control females. Concerning the estrogen receptor a and estrogen receptor b, males exposed to oil spill presented higher values at ۷۲ hr than the controls. In conclusion, in the present work, the effect of petroleum as an endocrine disruptor in turtles was demonstrated, and it can be used to identify damages induced by the presence of hydrocarbons in aquatic environments.

Keywords:

‎Endocrine disruptor , ‎ Japanese turtle , ‎ Petroleum hydrocarbon , ‎ Quantitative PCR , ‎ Xenobiotic