Bioaccumulation and Effects of 17-estradiol in Male Goldfish (Carassius auratus): Influence of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

More attention have been paid to the increasing release of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into aquatic environments, which may interact with the co-existed contaminants and further alter their bioactivity. In this study, we investigate the influence of MWCNTs on the effects of 17-estradiol (E2) in male goldfish (Carassius auratus). Compared with E2 alone exposure, the bioaccumulation of E2 in the liver were markedly reduced to the baseline by the presence of MWCNTs, as well as in the estrogenic responses (vtg and esr1 gene) in a concentration dependent manner. The presence of bile salts did not alter the release of estrogen from MWCNTs when compared to the control. These findings indicate that MWCNTs protect fish from threat by estrogen through strong adsorption.