Alkylphenol 4 Nonylphenol toxicity in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis in relation to reproduction

Abstract

Alkyphenols (APs) are a family of organic compounds synthesized using several methods, including alkylation of a phenol using different types of catalysts. Nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP), two relatively well studied long chain APs, are degradation products of the non-ionic surfactants as alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). Recent research has identified NP as the most important degradation product because of its enhanced resistance towards bio-degradation, toxicity, ability to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms and estrogenicity. NP is known to possess estrogenic function and hence it can affect all estrogen-dependent functions. Exposure to environmental estrogens has been known to cause reproductive toxicity by interfering with ovarian steroidogenesis, final oocyte maturation, ovulation, oxidative stress and embryonic development. Studies on the occurrence of NP in the environment and its impact on aquatic animals have not received much attention in India. Therefore, this study was taken up to find out the occurrence of NP in fresh water bodies and its effects on catfish reproduction.