Female Reproductive Problems in Fish

Xenobiotic induced disruption of female fertility follows essentially the same pattern as that of the male and can be caused by changes in pituitary-hypothalamic function, primary disruption of ovarian structure or hormone secretion, or changes in the rate of hormone deactivation. In addition, there may be changes in the synthesis of estrogen induced production of the yolk protein by the liver (vitellogenesis), which in turn can lead to failure to lay down sufficient yolk in the developing oocytes. Vitellogenesis provides a valuable biomarker for endocrine dysfunction in both sexes,but is more properly considered as part of the liver function. 

Voin Saal, M. M. Montano and M. H. Wang, in Chemically Induced Alterations in Sexual and 

Functional Development The IVildlife/Human Connection, ed. T. Colborn and C. Clement, 

MeMaster, C. J. Vander Kiaakand K. R. Munkittriek, Comp. Biochem. Physiol, 1995,112C, 

Decreased production of yolk protein resulting from inhibition of either ovarian or liver function presents the fish with a similar choice to that resulting from decreased food availability. It can produce the same number of smaller eggs, or a smaller number of eggs of normal size, but the mechanism by which that choice is made is unclear. Since the decreased nutrient content of small eggs will result in smaller larvae with a decreased survival rate, the net result in both cases may be a 

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