Hontela A, Rasmussen J B, Audet C, Chevalier G
Département Sciences Biologiques, TOXEN, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 1992 Apr;22(3):278-83. doi: 10.1007/BF00212086.
The cortisol stress response to capture was investigated in two species of fish (Perca flavescens and Esox lucius) from sites polluted by high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mercury, and from reference sites in the St. Lawrence river system. Fish from the reference sites exhibited the normal elevation of serum cortisol in response to the acute stress of capture and had large pituitary corticotropes. In contrast, fish from the most polluted sites were unable to increase their serum cortisol in response to the acute stress of capture and their pituitary corticotropes were atrophied. These results suggest that a life-long exposure to chemical pollutants may lead to an exhaustion of the cortisol-producing endocrine system, possibly as a result of prolonged hyperactivity of the system.
研究了来自圣劳伦斯河系统中受多环芳烃（PAHs）、多氯联苯（PCBs）和汞高度污染地点以及对照地点的两种鱼类（黄鲈和白斑狗鱼）对捕捞的皮质醇应激反应。来自对照地点的鱼在捕捞的急性应激反应中表现出血清皮质醇正常升高，且垂体促肾上腺皮质激素细胞较大。相比之下，来自污染最严重地点的鱼在捕捞的急性应激反应中无法提高其血清皮质醇水平，且其垂体促肾上腺皮质激素细胞萎缩。这些结果表明，终生暴露于化学污染物可能导致产生皮质醇的内分泌系统耗竭，这可能是该系统长期过度活跃的结果。
