Exposure to carbamate fungicide iodocarb does not affect reproductive behavior or milt volumes in precocious male brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) parr

Abstract

Previous studies with olfactory-disturbing pesticides resulted after exposure in disturbed behavior and physiology in fish. In the present experiment, reproductive behavior and milt volumes of precocious brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) male parr were studied in a large stream aquarium after exposure to the olfactory-disturbing fungicide 15 μg l−1 IPBC (iodocarb; 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate) for 96 h. The statistical analyses did not reveal any significant differences for time attending females between controls and IPBC-exposed males. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in milt volumes. However, when taking all fish into consideration, there were significant differences in milt volumes between parr that had been attending females and those had not been attending females. Controls that had attended females had significantly higher milt volumes than controls or IPBC-exposed males that had not attended females. Taking all control and IPBC parr into consideration, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between time attended females and volume of milt and gonadosomatic index (GSI), respectively. In summary, 15 μg l−1 IPBC did not have any significant effects on mature male parr reproductive behavior and milt volumes.