The Effects of Bisphenol-A on the Immune System of Wild Yellow Perch, Perca flavescens

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution Vol. 224; no. 10; p. 1
• Main Authors: Rogers, James A., Mirza, Reehan S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-10-2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aquatic ecosystems; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bisphenol A; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Consumer products; Contaminants; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental monitoring; Epoxy resins; Estrogen; Estrogens; Exact sciences and technology; Experiments; Fish; Fishes; Hemp; Hydrogeology; Immune system; Immunomodulation; Laboratories; Leukocytes; Manufacturing; Pathogens; Perca flavescens; Pollution; Polycarbonate; Rivers; Saprolegnia; Seeds; Soil Science & Conservation; Studies; Toxic substances; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Yellow perch; Endocrine disruptor; Bisphenol-A; Leukocyte; Immune system; Stramenopila; Oomycota; Bisphenol A; Pollution; Perch; Phenols; Saprolegnia; Poison; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-013-1728-5

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an environmental contaminant used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which has been discovered in freshwater systems worldwide as a result of effluent from manufacturing. This bioactive molecule is an estrogen mimic and has become a concern for exposure, especially during development, resulting in its removal from baby bottles and other consumer products. BPA is an endocrine disruptor in a variety of species and has been classified as a toxic substance in multiple countries. In this study, we examined the effect of BPA exposure on leukocyte counts in wild yellow perch,
Perca flavescens
. Yellow perch were exposed to either 2, 4, and 8 ppb BPA;
Saprolegnia
; or a blank control for a period of 7 days. Leukocyte blood counts were significantly higher in
Saprolegnia
, 4 ppb BPA, and 8 ppb BPA treatments compared to control. To test compound effects of BPA and
Saprolegnia
on leukocyte counts over a 7-day period, perch were exposed to either 4 ppb BPA, 4 ppb BPA + 
Saprolegnia
, or control. Leukocyte counts were significantly higher in the 4 ppb BPA treatment relative to control. The 4 ppb BPA + 
Saprolegnia
treatment was numerically elevated from the control, exhibiting a 153 % increase relative to control. BPA represents a contaminant with immunomodulatory properties that remain to be determined.