Fluoxetine (FLX), the active ingredient of Prozac™, is a member of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of anti-depressant drugs and is present in aquatic environments worldwide. Previous studies reported that FLX is an endocrine disruptor in fish, bioconcentrating in tissues including the brain. Evidence implicates that serotonin influences the activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) stress axis, thus exposure to FLX may disrupt the teleost stress response. This study examined in vitro cortisol production in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) head kidney/interrenal cells exposed to FLX and 14C-pregnenolone metabolism in head kidney microsome preparations of FLX-exposed trout. Results indicated that cells exposed in vitro to increasing concentrations of FLX had lower cortisol production and cell viability (versus control) and microsomes isolated from trout exposed to 54 μg/L FLX had higher pregnenolone metabolism versus those of control and low FLX-exposed (0.54 μg/L) trout.

β2-microglobulin (β2m) exists free of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) receptor in many bodily fluids. The amount of protein present in these fluids has been found to be a useful prognostic marker for various diseases but outside of its practical value not much is known about this form of β2m. In fish, soluble β2m has not been studied at all. Another unknown in fish is the effects that plants lectins might have on naturally carnivorous species in aquaculture. These plant proteins which bind to specific sugar groups found on cells have been shown to have a multitude of gastrointestinal and immune effects in mammals and can be found in the plant products being fed to carnivorous, cultured fish making them possible toxicants. The two studies of this thesis set out to pioneer knowledge on these subjects using rainbow trout as a model. The first investigation inspected the various body fluids of these fish for their free β2m content. Soluble β2m was found to be present in the plasma, the seminal fluid, ovarian fluid, and the mucus of the skin and intestines. This distribution shows that β2m could indeed make a good biomarker, not only for disease but also for pheromone release and alludes to some possible functions of soluble β2m while opening the way for future research on this form of the protein. The second study looked at the effects of lectins on the gut of rainbow trout by treating RTgutGC, an intestinal epithelial cell line derived from trout, with plant lectins from wheat (WGA) and soybean (SBA), among others. This study found WGA to be a potent inducer of morphological and cytotoxic effects in these cells while other lectins and plant factors were not. WGA was also observed to effect the expression of β2m and the α-chain of the MHC I receptor. This work suggests WGA ingested by trout through the wheat in their diet might be causing them harm and should be studied further. It is also interesting that both studies related β2m to the intestines of trout. This could allow soluble β2m to serves as a marker of WGA’s effect or for WGA to aid in the study of free β2m.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Canterbury, 2007. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-75). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Göteborg University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 233-241).

Thèse (M.Ress.Renouv.) -- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 2003. / Bibliogr.: f. [70]-76. Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Göteborg University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 233-241).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on June 12, 2006). Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Thomas McMahon. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1995. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-184).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2008. / Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 344-364).