Exposure to carbamate fungicide iodocarb does not affect reproductive behavior or milt volumes in precocious male brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) parr.

Previous studies with olfactory-disturbing pesticides resulted after exposure in disturbed behavior and physiology in fish. In the present experiment, reproductive behavior and milt volumes of precocious brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) male parr were studied in a large stream aquarium after exposure to the olfactory-disturbing fungicide 15 µg l-1 IPBC (iodocarb; 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate) for 96 h. The statistical analyses did not reveal any significant differences for time attending females between controls and IPBC-exposed males. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in milt volumes. However, when taking all fish into consideration, there were significant differences in milt volumes between parr that had been attending females and those had not been attending females. Controls that had attended females had significantly higher milt volumes than controls or IPBC-exposed males that had not attended females. Taking all control and IPBC parr into consideration, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between time attended females and volume of milt and gonadosomatic index (GSI), respectively. In summary, 15 µg l-1 IPBC did not have any significant effects on mature male parr reproductive behavior and milt volumes.

Reprint of "Effects of the SSRI citalopram on behaviours connected to stress and reproduction in Endler guppy, Poecilia wingei".

Psychoactive drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been identified in high levels in effluents from Swedish sewage treatment plants (STP) at concentrations high enough to give pharmacological effects in fish. In humans SSRIs are used in the treatment of depression and they have anxiolytic effects. In the present study we exposed Endler guppy (Poecilia wingei) of both sexes to citalopram that showed the highest concentrations of SSRIs in STP effluents and studied reproductive and non-reproductive behaviour. Male courting behaviours were not affected compared to control fish after 14-28 days exposure to 1 µgL(-1). In two experiments exposing both sexes to 0.2, 2.3 or 15 µgL(-1) for 21 days, fish exposed to the two highest doses showed anxiolytic effects when placed in a novel environment (novel tank diving test, NT). Males were only affected by exposure to 15 µgL(-1). They had significantly longer latency to explore the upper half of the aquarium, more visits and longer time spent in the upper half, and showed less bottom freezing behaviour, all markers of anxiolytic behaviour. In females exposure to 2.3 or 15 µgL(-1) significantly increased freezing behaviour, while no effects on other behaviour variables were observed. No effects on shoaling behaviour could be discerned. These results show that citalopram have anxiolytic effects on guppy fish and thus affect ecologically relevant behaviours of importance to survival of fish.

Effects of the SSRI citalopram on behaviours connected to stress and reproduction in Endler guppy, Poecilia wingei.

Psychoactive drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been identified in high levels in effluents from Swedish sewage treatment plants (STP) at concentrations high enough to give pharmacological effects in fish. In humans SSRIs are used in the treatment of depression and they have anxiolytic effects. In the present study we exposed Endler guppy (Poecilia wingei) of both sexes to citalopram that showed the highest concentrations of SSRIs in STP effluents and studied reproductive and non-reproductive behaviour. Male courting behaviours were not affected compared to control fish after 14-28 days exposure to 1 µg L(-1). In two experiments exposing both sexes to 0.2, 2.3 or 15 µg L(-1) for 21 days, fish exposed to the two highest doses showed anxiolytic effects when placed in a novel environment (novel tank diving test, NT). Males were only affected by exposure to 15 µg L(-1). They had significantly longer latency to explore the upper half of the aquarium, more visits and longer time spent in the upper half, and showed less bottom freezing behaviour, all markers of anxiolytic behaviour. In females exposure to 2.3 or 15 µg L(-1) significantly increased freezing behaviour, while no effects on other behaviour variables were observed. No effects on shoaling behaviour could be discerned. These results show that citalopram have anxiolytic effects on guppy fish and thus affect ecologically relevant behaviours of importance to survival of fish.