Disruption of neuroendocrine function in atlantic croaker exposed to Aroclor 1254

To investigate the effects of a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture (Aroclor 1254) on reproductive neuroendocrine function, male Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) were exposed to the PCB mixture in the diet (0.1 mg/100. g body wt/day) for 30 days during gonadal recrudescence. Concentrations of the monoamines (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE)) and their major metabolites (5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 3-methoxytyramine) were measured in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus (POAH) and medial and posterior hypothalamus (MPH) using HPLC with electrochemical detection. There was a significant decline in 5-HT and DA concentrations and an increase in their metabolite to parent amine ratios in both the POAH and MPH of Aroclor 1254-exposed fish. In addition, Aroclor 1254 exposure resulted in the loss of the in vitro gonadotropin (GtH) response to stimulation by a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog (LHRHa). The reduced availability of 5-HT in the nerve terminals may be responsible for the loss of pituitary GtH response to stimulation by LHRHa. These results support the hypothesis that Aroclor 1254-induced alterations in pituitary gonadotropin release may be mediated, at least partially, by altered hypothalamic serotonergic activity.