{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,10]],"date-time":"2025-11-10T10:45:17Z","timestamp":1762771517244,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":53,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,10]],"date-time":"2025-11-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1762732800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Small Research Grant Initiative","award":["SRGI-19008"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["SRGI-19008"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Genes"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Organic UV filters are chemical compounds that are commonly used in sunscreen products to absorb UV radiation from the Sun. To date, the filters have been detected in aquatic environments worldwide, as well as in aquatic organisms, including fish and coral. Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3) is a common organic UV filter and it is well documented to be among the filters that are detectable worldwide in water samples and aquatic organisms. Long-term exposure in vivo studies have demonstrated that high doses of BP-3 can cause endocrine-disrupting effects in aquatic organisms. Methods: Using gonadal cell culture and quantitative RT-PCR, our study aimed to ascertain the effect of environmentally relevant doses of BP-3 (detected in aquatic systems) on the gene expression of reproductive targets, estrogen and growth hormone receptors (ERs and GHRs), in Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) after an acute 24 h treatment. Results\/Conclusions: Our study is the first to use an in vitro design to investigate the mechanism of the action of BP-3 on gonadal tissue in fish. Our results show that BP-3 does not induce gene regulation directly on the gonads of tilapia at doses that are comparable to what is detectable in aquatic environments after 24 h. We do verify, as seen in other teleost species, homologous regulation of ER\u03b2 in male tilapia gonadal tissue.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/genes16111357","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,10]],"date-time":"2025-11-10T10:35:31Z","timestamp":1762770931000},"page":"1357","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Acute Exposure to a Common Organic UV Filter Does Not Alter the mRNA of Gonadal Estrogen or Growth Hormone Receptors in Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) In Vitro"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Glenna","family":"Maur","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St George\u2019s University, St. George\u2019s P.O. Box 7, Grenada"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-3709-9676","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kelly","family":"Silva-Picazo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Camila","family":"Dores","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St George\u2019s University, St. George\u2019s P.O. Box 7, Grenada"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"David","family":"Marancik","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St George\u2019s University, St. George\u2019s P.O. Box 7, Grenada"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Euan R. O.","family":"Allan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"424","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2605.2012.01280.x","article-title":"Sunscreens: Are they Beneficial for Health? An Overview of Endocrine Disrupting Properties of UV-Filters","volume":"35","author":"Krause","year":"2012","journal-title":"Int. J. Androl."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"953","DOI":"10.1021\/es040055r","article-title":"Occurrence of Some Organic UV Filters in Wastewater, in Surface Waters, and in Fish from Swiss Lakes","volume":"39","author":"Balmer","year":"2005","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envint.2014.05.015","article-title":"Occurrences, Toxicities, and Ecological Risks of Benzophenone-3, a Common Component of Organic Sunscreen Products: A Mini-Review","volume":"70","author":"Kim","year":"2014","journal-title":"Environ. Int."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0781.2011.00557.x","article-title":"Current Sunscreen Controversies: A Critical Review","volume":"27","author":"Burnett","year":"2011","journal-title":"Photodermatol. Photoimmunol. Photomed."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"794","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ica.2005.12.057","article-title":"Inorganic and Organic UV Filters: Their Role and Efficacy in Sunscreens and Suncare Products","volume":"360","author":"Serpone","year":"2007","journal-title":"Inorganica Chim. Acta"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3013","DOI":"10.1021\/es048265r","article-title":"Stereoisomer Composition of the Chiral UV Filter 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor in Environmental Samples","volume":"39","author":"Buser","year":"2005","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1343","DOI":"10.1007\/s00216-006-0927-y","article-title":"Determination of UV Filters and Antimicrobial Agents in Environmental Water Samples","volume":"387","author":"Cuderman","year":"2007","journal-title":"Anal. Bioanal. Chem."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"601","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2017.03.286","article-title":"Occurrence of Personal Care Products as Emerging Chemicals of Concern in Water Resources: A Review","volume":"595","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"134","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2019.01.140","article-title":"Per Capita Loads of Organic UV Filters in Australian Wastewater Influent","volume":"662","author":"Tscharke","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"278","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2015.04.055","article-title":"Advances in Analytical Methods and Occurrence of Organic UV-Filters in the Environment\u2014A Review","volume":"526","author":"Ramos","year":"2015","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"398","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2019.03.034","article-title":"Occurrence and Distribution of UV-Filters and Other Anthropogenic Contaminants in Coastal Surface Water, Sediment, and Coral Tissue from Hawaii","volume":"670","author":"Mitchelmore","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1817","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2009.11.005","article-title":"Widespread Occurrence of Estrogenic UV-Filters in Aquatic Ecosystems in Switzerland","volume":"158","author":"Fent","year":"2010","journal-title":"Environ. Pollut."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4182","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.6b05211","article-title":"Occurrence, Distribution, and Fate of Organic UV Filters in Coral Communities","volume":"51","author":"Tsui","year":"2017","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1016\/j.watres.2014.01.014","article-title":"Seasonal Occurrence, Removal Efficiencies and Preliminary Risk Assessment of Multiple Classes of Organic UV Filters in Wastewater Treatment Plants","volume":"53","author":"Tsui","year":"2014","journal-title":"Water Res."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"518","article-title":"UV Filters Bioaccumulation in Fish from Iberian River Basins","volume":"518\u2013519","year":"2015","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"64","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chroma.2008.06.041","article-title":"Simultaneous Trace Determination of Nine Organic UV-Absorbing Compounds (UV Filters) in Environmental Samples","volume":"1202","author":"Zenker","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Chromatogr. A"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Horricks, R.A., Tabin, S.K., Edwards, J.J., Lumsden, J.S., and Marancik, D.P. (2019). Organic Ultraviolet Filters in Nearshore Waters and in the Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Grenada, West Indies. PLoS ONE, 14.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0220280"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"265","DOI":"10.1007\/s00244-015-0227-7","article-title":"Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands","volume":"70","author":"Downs","year":"2016","journal-title":"Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"243","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2013.05.090","article-title":"Phototransformation of the Sunlight Filter Benzophenone-3 (2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxybenzophenone) under Conditions Relevant to Surface Waters","volume":"463\u2013464","author":"Vione","year":"2013","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S4","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marenvres.2009.10.010","article-title":"A Tentative Environmental Risk Assessment of the UV-Filters 3-(4-Methylbenzylidene-Camphor), 2-Ethyl-Hexyl-4-Trimethoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Benzophenone-4 and 3-Benzylidene Camphor","volume":"69","author":"Fent","year":"2010","journal-title":"Mar. Environ. Res."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"245","DOI":"10.1016\/j.toxrep.2017.05.006","article-title":"Neurotoxic Effect of Active Ingredients in Sunscreen Products\u2014A Contemporary Review","volume":"4","author":"Ruszkiewicz","year":"2017","journal-title":"Toxicol. Rep."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envint.2015.03.012","article-title":"Environmental Occurrence and Risk of Organic UV Filters and Stabilizers in Multiple Matrices in Norway","volume":"80","author":"Langford","year":"2015","journal-title":"Environ. Int."},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"5619","article-title":"Erratum: First Determination of UV Filters in Marine Mammals","volume":"47","author":"Alonso","year":"2013","journal-title":"Octocrylene Levels in Franciscana Dolphins Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"1395","article-title":"Effects of UV Filter 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor during Early Development of Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858","volume":"628\u2013629","author":"Rocha","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2833","DOI":"10.1002\/etc.3129","article-title":"Endocrine-Disrupting Effect of the Ultraviolet Filter Benzophenone-3 in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)","volume":"34","author":"Kinnberg","year":"2015","journal-title":"Environ. Toxicol. Chem."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"311","DOI":"10.1093\/toxsci\/kfl070","article-title":"The Ultraviolet Filter 3-Benzylidene Camphor Adversely Affects Reproduction in Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas)","volume":"93","author":"Kunz","year":"2006","journal-title":"Toxicol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1093\/toxsci\/kfj082","article-title":"Comparison of In Vitro and In Vivo Estrogenic Activity of UV Filters in Fish","volume":"90","author":"Kunz","year":"2006","journal-title":"Toxicol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"255","DOI":"10.1016\/j.taap.2007.08.004","article-title":"Effects of the UV Filter Benzophenone-2 on Reproduction in Fish","volume":"225","author":"Weisbrod","year":"2007","journal-title":"Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"182","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aquatox.2008.08.018","article-title":"Estrogenic Activity and Reproductive Effects of the UV-Filter Oxybenzone (2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl-Methanone) in Fish","volume":"90","author":"Coronado","year":"2008","journal-title":"Aquat. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"431","DOI":"10.1016\/S0166-445X(02)00208-4","article-title":"Developmental Estrogenic Exposure in Zebrafish (Danio rerio): II. Histological Evaluation of Gametogenesis and Organ Toxicity","volume":"63","author":"Weber","year":"2003","journal-title":"Aquat. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113464","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ygcen.2020.113464","article-title":"Growth Hormone Regulates Intestinal Gene Expression of Nutrient Transporters in Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)","volume":"292","author":"Breves","year":"2020","journal-title":"Gen. Comp. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"614","DOI":"10.1095\/biolreprod.107.060947","article-title":"Induction of Three Vitellogenins by 17\u03b2-Estradiol with Concurrent Inhibition of the Growth Hormone\u2013Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Axis in a Euryhaline Teleost, the Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)","volume":"77","author":"Davis","year":"2007","journal-title":"Biol. Reprod."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"544","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ygcen.2008.03.002","article-title":"Gender-Specific Expression of Multiple Estrogen Receptors, Growth Hormone Receptors, Insulin-Like Growth Factors and Vitellogenins, and Effects of 17\u03b2-Estradiol in the Male Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)","volume":"156","author":"Davis","year":"2008","journal-title":"Gen. Comp. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Inokuchi, M., Hiroi, J., and Kaneko, T. (2022). Why Can Mozambique Tilapia Acclimate to Both Freshwater and Seawater? Insights from the Plasticity of Ionocyte Functions in the Euryhaline Teleost. Front. Physiol., 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2022.914277"},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"166","article-title":"Impact of water contamination on tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish yield","volume":"9","author":"Osman","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. J. Chem. Technol. Res."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nivelle, R., Gennotte, V., Kalala, E.J.K., Ngoc, N.B., Muller, M., M\u00e9lard, C., and Rougeot, C. (2019). Temperature Preference of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Juveniles Induces Spontaneous Sex Reversal. PLoS ONE, 14.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0214689"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.1530\/JOE-15-0432","article-title":"Simultaneous Exposure to Estrogen and Androgen Resulted in Feminization and Endocrine Disruption","volume":"228","author":"Chen","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.3109\/15376516.2011.593053","article-title":"In Vitro Exposure of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Testis to Estrogenic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: mRNA Expression of Genes Encoding Steroidogenic Enzymes","volume":"22","author":"Ribeiro","year":"2012","journal-title":"Toxicol. Mech. Methods"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"297","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cbd.2008.08.003","article-title":"Temporal Expression of Two Cytochrome P450 Aromatase Isoforms during Development in Oreochromis mossambicus, in Association with Histological Development","volume":"3","author":"Esterhuyse","year":"2008","journal-title":"Comp. Biochem. Physiol. D Genomics Proteomics"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2007.04.072","article-title":"Tissue-Specific Suppression of Estrogen, Androgen and Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Expression in Feral Vitellogenic Male Mozambique Tilapia","volume":"69","author":"Park","year":"2007","journal-title":"Chemosphere"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"54","DOI":"10.1006\/gcen.1999.7388","article-title":"Effect of Egg Deprivation on Sex Steroids, Gonadotropin, Prolactin, and Growth Hormone Profiles during the Reproductive Cycle of the Mouthbrooding Cichlid Fish Oreochromis niloticus","volume":"117","author":"Tacon","year":"2000","journal-title":"Gen. Comp. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"302","DOI":"10.1007\/s10646-015-1588-4","article-title":"UV-Filter Benzophenone-3 Inhibits Agonistic Behavior in Male Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens)","volume":"25","author":"Chen","year":"2016","journal-title":"Ecotoxicology"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"399","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2018.05.154","article-title":"Study of Bioconcentration of Oxybenzone in Gilt-Head Bream and Characterization of Its By-Products","volume":"208","author":"Ziarrusta","year":"2018","journal-title":"Chemosphere"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"337","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2133.2005.07007.x","article-title":"Percutaneous Absorption of the Sunscreen Benzophenone-3 after Repeated Whole-Body Applications, with and without Ultraviolet Irradiation","volume":"154","author":"Gonzalez","year":"2006","journal-title":"Br. J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"741302","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aquaculture.2024.741302","article-title":"The use of fish cell lines as in vitro ecotoxicological tools: A cellular solution to aquaculture sustainability","volume":"593","author":"Nguyen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Aquaculture"},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1016\/j.taap.2004.07.005","article-title":"Estrogenic and Antiandrogenic Activities of 17 Benzophenone Derivatives Used as UV Stabilizers and Sunscreens","volume":"203","author":"Suzuki","year":"2005","journal-title":"Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3086","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2011.04.013","article-title":"Global Gene Expression Profile Induced by the UV-Filter 2-Ethyl-Hexyl-4-Trimethoxycinnamate (EHMC) in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)","volume":"159","author":"Zucchi","year":"2011","journal-title":"Environ. Pollut."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Du, Y., Wang, W.-Q., Pei, Z.-T., Ahmad, F., Xu, R.-R., Zhang, Y.-M., and Sun, L.-W. (2017). Acute Toxicity and Ecological Risk Assessment of Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and Benzophenone-4 (BP-4) in Ultraviolet (UV) Filters. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph14111414"},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ygcen.2013.03.032","article-title":"Estrogen Receptor Function and Regulation in Fish and Other Vertebrates","volume":"192","author":"Nelson","year":"2013","journal-title":"Gen. Comp. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"230","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ygcen.2018.04.023","article-title":"Thyroid Hormone Actions on the Male Reproductive System of Teleost Fish","volume":"265","author":"Habibi","year":"2018","journal-title":"Gen. Comp. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"438","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ygcen.2009.04.017","article-title":"Neuroendocrinology of Reproduction in Teleost Fish","volume":"165","author":"Zohar","year":"2010","journal-title":"Gen. Comp. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"141255","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2020.141255","article-title":"Toxicological Responses of Carassius auratus Induced by Benzophenone-3 Exposure and the Association with Alteration of Gut Microbiota","volume":"747","author":"Zhang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"114857","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2020.114857","article-title":"Toxic Effects and Transcriptome Analyses of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Larvae Exposed to Benzophenones","volume":"265","author":"Meng","year":"2020","journal-title":"Environ. Pollut."}],"container-title":["Genes"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2073-4425\/16\/11\/1357\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,10]],"date-time":"2025-11-10T10:43:09Z","timestamp":1762771389000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2073-4425\/16\/11\/1357"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,10]]},"references-count":53,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11]]}},"alternative-id":["genes16111357"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/genes16111357","relation":{},"ISSN":["2073-4425"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2073-4425","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,10]]}}}