<p> Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) negatively affect reproduction across taxa. However, how PCBs influence elasmobranchs is not well known. I hypothesized that acute PCB exposure would negatively impact reproductive parameters of newly-mature round stingrays (<i>Urobatis halleri</i>). To determine the acute effects of PCBs on steroidogenesis, male stingrays were injected with either Aroclor-1254 or vehicle (sesame-oil) and held for 24 hrs. Testicular mRNA expression for steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase decreased with 24 hrs exposure to Aroclor-1254 (p<0.05). To test sperm quality, seminal fluid was exposed to Aroclor-1254 (0.00, 0.001, 0.010, 0.100, 1.000, 10.00 mg/L) for < 1 or 24 hrs. Aroclor-1254 (10.00 mg/L) decreased spermatozoa motility and viability at both time-points compared to controls (p<0.001). At < 1 hrs, spermatozoa motility decreased from the control at 1.000 mg/L (p<0.05) and viability decreased at 0.010 mg/L (p<0.05). These results indicate that Aroclor-1254 may have targeted effects on <i>U. halleri</i>, inhibiting spermatozoa function and steroidogenic enzyme activity at an acute dose.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:1526908 |
| Date | 31 October 2014 |
| Creators | Frantz, Deborah E. |
| Publisher | California State University, Long Beach |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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