Histological Analysis of Endocrine Disruptive Effects in Small Laboratory Fish

Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Contributing Authors.
1 Introduction.
References.
2 Fish Species of Interest.
2.1 Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas).
2.2 Medaka (Oryzias latipes).
2.3 Zebrafish (Danio rerio).
2.4 Other Fish Species.
References.
3 Sexual Determination, Differentiation, and GonadalDevelopment.
3.1 Primordial Germ Cells in the Primordial (Primary) Gonad.
3.2 Reproductive Strategies.
3.3 Differentiation of the Primordial Gonad into Ovary orTestis.
3.4 Gonadal Duct Formation.
3.5 Endocrinology: Influence on Gonadogenesis.
3.6 Critical Period of Sexual Differentiation in DevelopingFish.
3.7 Bi-Potentiality of Germ Cells in Adult Fish.
References.
4 Female Gonad Anatomy and Morphology.
4.1 Gonadogenesis: Ovary.
4.2 Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis.
4.3 Cellular Structure of the Ovary.
References.
5 Male Gonad Anatomy and Morphology.
5.1 Gonadogenesis: Testes.
References.
6 Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds.
6.1 Individual Effects.
6.2 Effects Associated with Exposure to Specific Compounds orCompound Classes.
6.3 Population Effects.
References.
7 Determination of Effects of Exogenous Hormones andEndocrine-like Active Compounds.
7.1 Histological Processing: Microdissection versus Whole-FishSectioning.
7.2 Optimal Tissue Preparation and Histological Techniques.
7.3 Plane of Gonad Sectioning for Optimal OrganRepresentation.
References.
8 Evaluation of Effects in Fish Gonads.
8.1 Qualitative (Semiquantitative) versus QuantitativeEvaluation.
8.2 Gonadal Staging in the Testis.
8.3 Gonadal Staging in the Ovary .
8.4 Qualitative Assessment of Histopathological Changes.
References.
9 Experimental Design and Statistics.
9.1 Basic Considerations in Experimental Design.
9.2 Variables to be Determined and Their Inherent Biological andMathematical Characteristics.
9.3 Prerequisite Statistical Concepts.
9.4 Statistical Tests and Testing Situations EncounteredRoutinely.
References.
10 Conclusions.
References.
Appendix: Fish Preparation and Microdissection of Organs.
A.1 Fish Preparation.
A.2 Microdissection of Organs.
A.3 Tissue Fixation.
A.4 Embedding.
A.5 Tissue Sectioning.
A.6 Sample Mounting.
A.7 Tissue Slide Staining.
A.8 Final Processing.
A.9 Examples.
A.10 Summary.
References.
Index.