Detection of Steroid Hormone Disruptions Associated with Pulp Mill Effluent Using Artificial Exposures of Goldfish

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Abstract
From 1988 to 1992, we have shown that several species of wild fish collected from Jackfish Bay, Lake Superior have decreased reproductive steroid levels associated with exposure to pulp mill effluent. The cause of the steroid reductions are multi-focal, with at least some of the reduced steroid synthetic capacity explained by substrate limitations and altered enzyme activity within the biosynthetic pathway. We exposed goldfish (Carassius auratus) to pulp mill effluent under either field or laboratory conditions, to examine circulating steroid levels and in vitro steroid production. Testing during May 1993 demonstrated that reduced steroid production can occur within 4 days of exposure to pulp mill effluent. Further exposures during July and November 1993 did not detect as strong of an effluent response. Goldfish exposure to effluent during May 1994 showed no evidence of depressed steroid production, confirming the apparent recovery found in late 1993. The installation of secondary treatment in 1989 had no detectable effect on the steroid response in wild fish. Apparent recovery of steroid function in artificially exposed goldfish coincides with in-plant process changes in June 1993; the exact nature of these process changes has not been released by mill personnel.

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