An Analysis of the Effects of the Cattle Growth-Promoting Androgen, Trenbolone, on the Immune Function of Female Fish

Schluterman, Haley

Publication

An Analysis of the Effects of the Cattle Growth-Promoting Androgen, Trenbolone, on the Immune Function of Female Fish

Schluterman, Haley

Date

2020

Additional date(s)

2020-12-18

Abstract

Trenbolone (TB) is a growth-promoting androgen known for being a potent endocrine-disrupting compound found in the environment, typically in surface waters downstream of cattle feeding operations. Field studies have revealed an association between exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds and impaired immune function in wild populations of fish. Furthermore, laboratory studies have shown an association between androgen exposure and immune function. Therefore, it was hypothesized that trenbolone induces immune dysfunction in fishes. To test this hypothesis, we compared the molecular- and tissue-level pathogen-stimulated immune responses of TB-exposed female fathead minnows to those of unexposed females. To accomplish this, females were divided into three groups- 0, 50, and 500 ng/L TB- and exposed for 7 days before being infected with the pathogen Yersinia ruckeri. After 8 hours, tissues including blood, spleen, and livers were collected. Blood was used to evaluate hematocrit, while spleens were used for the determination of spleen somatic index (SSI). Livers were utilized to evaluate the expression levels of genes which encode inflammatory cytokines and complement proteins. The results of these analyses will be presented to uncover the environmental impacts of trenbolone on organism fitness as well as the overall impact of androgens on the female immune system.