Functional changes of the LH-immunoreactive cells in adenohypophysis of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from rivers contaminated with estrogenic chemicals

The adverse effect of estrogenic chemicals on luteinizing hormone-immunoreactive (LH-ir) cells in the adenohypophysis of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was examined using immunocytochemical and morphometric methods. Adult male fish were collected from two contaminated sites (Ishizu and Wada Rivers) and from a control pond at Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Research Center of Osaka Prefecture. The concentration of nonylphenol, bisphenol A and 17beta-estradiol in the Ishizu River was 3-4 times higher than that in the Wada River. The proportion and size of LH-ir cells were evaluated using the point-counting method by optical microscopy. In control carp, the proportion of LH-ir cells in the breeding season was significantly lower than in the pre- and post-breeding seasons. The same tendency was also found in Ishizu and Wada River carp, but without statistical significance. The proportion of LH-ir cells in Ishizu River carp was significantly lower than that of the control and the Wada River in all seasons. The LH-ir cells in control carp increased in size in the breeding season. LH-ir cells in Ishizu River carp were significantly (p<0.05) smaller than those in control fish, but not different from Wada River carp. A disturbance in the secretory function of LH-ir cells was found in carp from the Ishizu River; granulation and vacuolation were not in synchronization with those of control and Wada River fish. Our data suggest that the estrogenic chemicals in the Ishizu River interfere with functions of LH-ir cells directly or through the testis.