Efeitos de hormônios esteroides de contraceptivos orais combinados sobre os parâmetros comportamentais de Betta splendens (Regan, 1909) / Effects of steroid hormones from combined oral contraceptives on the behavioral and physiological parameters of Betta splendens (Regan, 1909)

Os hormônios esteroides presentes em várias gerações de contraceptivos orais combinados (COC) podem se apresentar como disruptores endócrinos, produzindo alterações no comportamento e na fisiologia de peixes. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de hormônios esteroides presentes em COC sobre os parâmetros comportamentais de Betta splendens, um peixe ornamental usado na aquariofilia e bastante agressivo. Machos adultos foram observados pelo método ad libitum para confecção do etograma e divididos em cinco grupos, controle e expostos aos hormônios: 17β-estradiol (E2); levonorgestrel e etinilestradiol (LEA - segunda geração de COC); gestodeno e etinilestradiol (GEA - terceira geração de COC); e drospirenona e etinilestradiol (DEA - quarta geração de COC). Os peixes foram expostos por 30 dias à concentração final de 10ng/L. Foram avaliados os comportamentos pelos métodos de varredura instantânea e animal-focal, bem como o consumo de ração. No método varredura, o comportamento descansar apresentou o maior valor (54,4±10,1%) no grupo E2 (P<0,05). Os comportamentos agressivos de carga (16,1±3,6%) e recuar e carga (16,4±5,1%) apresentaram os maiores valores no grupo controle em relação aos demais grupos (P<0,05). Os animais do grupo E2 apresentaram maior frequência de comportamentos inativos (76,1%) comparados aos de outros grupos. O comportamento atípico natação errática não foi observado no grupo controle, mas foi observado nos grupos experimentais. Os grupos E2, LEA, GEA e DEA apresentaram redução nos comportamentos agressivos (10%) quando comparados ao grupo controle pelo método animal-focal. Não foram observadas diferenças na exibição desses comportamentos ao se compararem os animais expostos às diferentes gerações de contraceptivos e no consumo de ração. Pode-se concluir que 17β-estradiol causou mais efeitos aos peixes e que diferentes gerações de COC apresentaram efeitos tóxicos semelhantes em relação aos comportamentos observados.

The steroid hormones present in many generations of combined oral contraceptives (COC) can act as endocrine disruptors inducing changes in the behavior and physiology of fish. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of steroid hormones present in COC on behavioral parameters of Betta splendes, an aggressive ornamental fish used in the aquariophily. Adult males were observed with the ad libitum method to develop an ethogram and were divided into five groups, Control and exposed to hormones: 17β-estradiol (E2), levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol (LEA - 2nd COC generation), gestodene and ethinylestradiol (GEA - 3rd COC generation) and drospirenone and ethinylestradiol (DEA - 4th COC Generation). Fish were exposed for 30 days to a final concentration of 10ng/L. The behavior was evaluated by scan sampling and animal-focal methods, and feed intake. In the scan sampling method, the Resting behavior showed the highest value (54.4±10.1%) in E2 group (P<0.05). The aggressive behavior Rush (16.1±3.6%) and Back and Rush (16.4±5.1%) showed the highest values in the control group, compared to the other groups (P<0.05). Animals in the E2 group showed higher frequency of inactive behaviors (76.1%) compared to other groups. Furthermore, the atypical behavior Erratic swimming was not observed in the control group, but it was observed in the experimental groups. The E2, LEA, GEA and DEA groups showed reduction in aggressive behavior (10%) compared to the control group by the animal-focal method. Moreover, no difference was observed in the exhibition of these behaviors and feed intake comparing animals exposed to the different generations of contraceptives. It can be concluded that 17β-estradiol has caused more effects on fish and different generations of COC showed similar toxic effects in the observed behaviors.

Preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on ethinyl estradiol induced hepatosteatosis in female wistar rat

Hepatic steatosis due to estrogen therapy increases the activity of inflammatory markers, particularly the activity of TNF alpha -which in turn induces more lipogenesis. Omega-3 fatty acids are among the negative regulators of hepatic lipogenesis. In this research, the preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on estrogen-induced steatosis in rats was evaluated. 2 mg/kg. BW/SC of 17 alpha-ethiny-lestrasdiol were injected into 25 female wistar rats in 5 equal groups [excluding the control group] over 10 consecutive days. Simultaneously, 3 of estradiol-treated groups were orally given 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg. BW omega-3 fatty acids, respectively. At the end of the experiment, plasma ALT, AST, and TNF alpha level were determined. Histopathological changes in the liver were also identified by the evaluation of samples stained with H and E and Oil Red O. The histological findings revealed hepatic microvesicular steatosis and fat deposit in ethinylestradiol and, to a lesser extent, in the 250 mg/kg BW omega-3 fatty acids groups. The plasma levels of AST, ALT, and TNF alpha -significantly increased in the ethinylestradiol group compared to the control [p<0.05] and 1000 mg/kg. B.W omega-3 group. Omega-3 fatty acids reduced these parameters in comparison to the estradiol group [p<0.05]. It was concluded that 1000mg/kg.BW of omega-3 protects the liver against steatotic injuries