Fish Short-Term Reproduction Assay (FSTRA) (OECD TG 229)

Abstract

282. Modality detected/endpoints: estrogens (♂ VTG ↑; ♂ 2 sex characteristics ↓); anti-estrogens (♀ VTG ↓); androgens (♂ 2 sex characteristics in ♀); anti-androgens (♂ 2 sex characteristics ↓); aromatisable androgens (♂ VTG ↑); aromatase inhibitors (♀ VTG ↓); non-specific effects on hypothalamic/pituitary/gonadal (HPG) axis, plus other reprotox (fecundity ↓); (optional endpoint – gonadal histo-pathology. This may assist with diagnosis of mode of action). Note that this assay may, in some cases, have low statistical power or sensitivity to detect anti-androgenic activity through effects on secondary sexual characteristics. However, if gonad histopathology has been optionally studied, changes in Leydig cells resulting from anti-androgen exposure may have been observed. Finally, diagnostic endpoints (i.e. indicators of hormonal activity) and the apical endpoint (i.e. fecundity) should be considered together to obtain maximum value from this assay.