Abstract
AbstractOrganotin pollution has been monitored in mollusks from the Catalan coast (Spain). Tributyltin (TBT) was the major compound detected, ranging from 200 to 1,100 ng/g wet weight as Sn. Tributyltin metabolites and triphenyltin (TPhT) were also detected, although to a lesser extent. Virtually organotin‐free mollusks were obtained in the Alfacs Bay (Ebro Delta). Aromatase activity was determined in the digestive gland of a selected number of samples by measuring the tritiated water release from [1β‐3H]‐androstenedione. Enzyme activity was linear as a function of incubation time and protein content of the microsomal fraction. It was determined at a substrate concentration of 10 μM, and it exhibited a typical Michaelis–Menten kinetic, with an apparent constant, Km, of 32 ± 3 μM. Low aromatase activity (217–264 fmol/h/mg protein) was seen in mussels sampled in TBT‐polluted environments compared with mussels from the virtually organotin‐free point (345 fmol/h/mg protein). These results support the hypothesis of a TBT‐mediated inhibition of cytochrome P450‐aromatase activity in mussels, although no significant changes on tissue titers of testosterone/estradiol were observed.
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