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Event: 220
Key Event Title
Increase, Plasma vitellogenin concentrations
Short name
Biological Context
Level of Biological Organization |
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Organ |
Organ term
Organ term |
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blood plasma |
Key Event Components
Process | Object | Action |
---|---|---|
vitellogenins | increased |
Key Event Overview
AOPs Including This Key Event
AOP Name | Role of event in AOP | Point of Contact | Author Status | OECD Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Estrogen receptor agonism leading to reproductive dysfunction | KeyEvent | Undefined (send email) | Under Development: Contributions and Comments Welcome | |
ER agonism : reduced survival | KeyEvent | Undefined (send email) | Under Development: Contributions and Comments Welcome | |
ER agonism leads to reduced survival/population growth | KeyEvent | Camille Baettig (send email) | Under development: Not open for comment. Do not cite | |
ER agonism leads to reduced fecundity | KeyEvent | Jason M. O'Brien (send email) | Under development: Not open for comment. Do not cite |
Taxonomic Applicability
Life Stages
Sex Applicability
Key Event Description
Vitellogenins are large serum phospholipoglycoprotein that are encoded by a family of paralog genes whose number varies in the different vertebrate lineages resulting in numerous isoforms (Wahli, 1988). Vtg is synthesized in the liver and is secreted into the blood as ~500 kDa homodimers which circulate to the ovaries for uptake and bind to receptors on the surface of growing oocytes (Wallace, 1985).
How It Is Measured or Detected
Vitellogenin concentrations in plasma are typically measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; e.g., Denslow et al., 1999; Holbech et al., 2001). Less specific and/or sensitive assays such as determination of alkali-labile phosphoprotein (e.g., Kramer et al., 1998) and Western blotting (e.g., Heppell et al., 1995) may also be used.
There are also several standardized test guidelines that measure vtg including: Fish Short Term Reproduction Assay (OECD, 2009a), 21-day Fish Assay (OECD, 2009b); Fish Sexual Development Test (OECD, 2011), Medaka Extended One Generation Reproduction Test (OECD, 2015a). Measurement of vtg is also an optional parameter in the Larval Amphibian Growth and Development Assay (OECD, 2015b). The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has similar standardized guidelines (US EPA, 2009, US EPA, 2014) as does the EU as part of the Guidance For The Identification Of Endocrine Disruptors In The Context Of Regulations (EC 2013, EC 2018).
Domain of Applicability
Taxonomic applicability: Oviparous vertebrates synthesize yolk precursor proteins that are transported in the circulation for uptake by developing oocytes. Many invertebrates also synthesize vitellogenins that are taken up into developing oocytes via active transport mechanisms. However, invertebrate vitellogenins are transported in hemolymph or via other transport mechanisms rather than plasma.
Life stage: This KE is applicable to all life stages following the differentiation of the liver. Embryos prior to liver differentiation should not be included.
Sex: This KE is applicable to both sexes.
References
- Denslow, N. D., Chow, M. C., Kroll, K. J., & Green, L. (1999). Vitellogenin as a biomarker of exposure for estrogen or estrogen mimics. Ecotoxicology, 8, 385-398.
- Heppell, S. A., Denslow, N. D., Folmar, L. C., & Sullivan, C. V. (1995). Universal assay of vitellogenin as a biomarker for environmental estrogens. Environmental Health Perspectives, 103(suppl 7), 9-15.
- Holbech, H., Andersen, L., Petersen, G. I., Korsgaard, B., Pedersen, K. L., & Bjerregaard, P. (2001). Development of an ELISA for vitellogenin in whole body homogenate of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 130(1), 119-131.
- Kramer, V., Miles-Richardson, S., Pierens, S., & Giesy, J. (1998). Reproductive impairment and induction of alkaline-labile phosphate, a biomarker of estrogen exposure, in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed to waterborne 17β-estradiol. Aquatic Toxicology, 40(4), 335-360.
- Wahli, W. (1988). Evolution and expression of vitellogenin genes. Trends in Genetics, 4(8), 227-232.
- Wallace, R. A. (1985). Vitellogenesis and oocyte growth in nonmammalian vertebrates. Oogenesis, 127-177.