Intersex in feral marine and freshwater fish from northeastern Germany

A histopathological assessment of the gonad of male fish was performed as part of biological field studies carried out in coastal waters and small rivers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, northeastern Germany. In the marine environment the eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) was selected as sentinel species. The three spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and perch (Perca fluviatilis) were chosen at freshwater locations. Histopathology of the testis revealed the presence of intersexuality in specimens of all three species. The intersex condition was defined by the simultaneous presence of primary oocytes within the apparently normal testis tissue. In comparison to stickleback and perch the eelpout exhibited the highest intersex prevalence and the most severe histological alterations. Fish with intersex were found at contaminated marine and freshwater stations as well as at sites with apparently little pollution. The findings suggest that feminised male fish were exposed to endocrine disrupting substances in the aquatic environment.