Histological Analysis of Endocrine Disruptive Effects in Small Laboratory Fish

Although a growing number of studies employ small fish gonadal histopathology in the assessment of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), the literature has lacked a comprehensive presentation of the basic biological function, the normal histology, and the histopathology of small fish gonads. In response, this book sets forth recommended standards that facilitate accurate, meaningful interpretation of the findings from aquatic bioassays and field observations of a variety of commonly studied fish species, with special emphasis on the routinely employed small laboratory fish, i.e., the zebrafish, medaka, and fathead minnow.

The authors, leaders in the field of small fish gonadal histopathology, have reviewed and synthesized more than 1,200 publications and reports to help identify and clarify inconsistencies in the field. Among the topics covered are:

• Basic fish biology and fish sexual reproduction
• Male and female fish gonad development and histopathology
• EDC-mediated effects and the relevance of parameters determined for evaluating EDC-mediated effects
• Methods for histopathological processing
• Evaluation and quantification of effects
• Experimental design and statistics

Each chapter includes references to the primary literature to facilitate further research. The appendix offers step-by-step guidance for fish preparation and microdissection of organs.

Small fish such as zebrafish, medaka, and fathead minnows are increasingly used in risk assessment studies and for the registration of chemical, agricultural, and pharmaceutical compounds. This book represents the state of the art on small fish gonadal histopathology, providing the right amount of anatomical and physiological background to help readers understand and interpret xenobiotic-induced changes in gonadal histology in a mechanistic context.