Modulation of transcription of genes related to the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos/larvae by androstenedione

Abstract This study aimed to determine the effects of Androstenodione (AED) on the transcriptional expression of genes involved in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axes in the zebrafish embryos/larvae. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0, 4.0, 45.0, 487.0, and 980.0 ng/L of AED from the day of fertilization to 144 h post fertilization (hpf), during which the transcriptional profiles of key genes related to the HPG and HPA axes were examined daily using quantitative real-time PCR. The AED exposure significantly up-regulated several receptor signaling pathways and the key genes involved in various steps of the steroidogenic pathways were also affected. In addition, the AED exposure could significantly modulate the transcriptional profiles of the other target genes related to hypothalamic and pituitary hormones. The findings of this study suggest that AED, at environmentally relevant concentrations, affects the adrenal endocrine systems and the reproduction of zebrafish by interrupting the HPG and HPA axes.