Sex-specific effects of triphenyltin on gut microbiota and intergenerational effects in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)

J Hazard Mater. 2024 Dec 16:485:136924. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136924. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

In this study, a mixed model was applied to the marine medaka to investigate the intergenerational effects of parental exposure to Triphenyltin (TPT) and the subsequent perturbations in parental gut microbiota on the gut microbiota of offspring. In addition, "microgenderome" has been focused on elucidating the different responses of males and females to environmental stress. The results indicated that TPT exhibited androgenic effects and long-term toxicological consequences, influencing the internal steroid hormone levels of the offspring and leading to their abnormal growth and development. Furthermore, the "microgenderome" has been observed in fish, which resulted in sex-specific responses among females and males when exposed to TPT. The effects of parental TPT exposure on offspring also varied by sex; specifically, it disrupted the intestinal microenvironment in female offspring, creating selective pressure on gut microbiota. In contrast, the male gut microbiota exhibited greater sensitivity to environmental perturbations, allowing rapid community interactions to achieve a relatively stable state. These findings suggest that TPT poses significant long-term toxicological effects that warrant further attention and management. Moreover, the identification of the "microgenderome" phenomenon in fish may provide new insights into gut microbiota disruption and its functional implications.

Keywords: Gut microbiota; Intergenerational effect; Sex specific; Triphenyltin.