17α-methyltestosterone exposure disrupted growth, liver physiology and intestinal microbial on fish: A case study on migratory bony fishes (Takifugu fasciatus)

Yuxi Liu; Sijin Wang; Mengbo Han; Sheng Luo; Peng Chu; Xiaodong Tang; Cheng Zhao; Shiqun Han; Shaowu Yin; Tao Wang

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117533

17α-methyltestosterone exposure disrupted growth, liver physiology and intestinal microbial on fish: A case study on migratory bony fishes (Takifugu fasciatus)

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Jan 7:212:117533. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117533. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yuxi Liu¹, Sijin Wang¹, Mengbo Han¹, Sheng Luo¹, Peng Chu¹, Xiaodong Tang¹, Cheng Zhao², Shiqun Han³, Shaowu Yin¹, Tao Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China.
² College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Institution of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
⁴ College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39778389
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117533

Abstract

17α-methyltestosterone (17α-MT) is prevalent in the aqueous environment, but its toxicological profile remains incomplete. This study analyzed the effects of different 17α-MT concentrations on the growth performance, mortality, sex ratio, liver physiological metabolism, and intestinal microorganisms of Takifugu fasciatus, and on the microorganisms composition of its culture environment. Results showed that 17α-MT increased the male ratio and mortality but inhibited the growth of T. fasciatus. Meanwhile, 17α-MT induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial autophagy, changed lipid metabolism and inhibited triglyceride (TG) accumulation in the liver. 17α-MT altered the composition of the intestinal microorganisms, notably increasing the number of pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, the Firmicutes to the Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, associated with lipid metabolism, decreased with increasing 17α-MT concentration. Furthermore, 17α-MT disrupted the connection between the intestine microorganisms in T. fasciatus and the water column. This study enhances understanding of the effect of 17α-MT on T. fasciatus and the toxicological profile of 17α-MT.

Keywords: 17α-methyltestosterone; Intestinal microorganisms; Lipid physiological metabolism; Takifugu fasciatus.