Expression of Estrogenic Response Genes in Black Mollies (Poecilia sphenops) Exposed to Pyrogenic Hydrocarbon and Petroleum from Campeche Sound

The estrogenic effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC's) in animals are not reversible and can reduce populations. Sensitive methods such Q-PCR have been used to determine changes in gene expression and thus predict the effects before they become irreversible. The present study was designed to detect the expression on the estrogen receptors and vitellogenin genes in the Black Mollies fish (Poecilia sphenops) exposed to pyrogenic hydrocarbon and petroleum from Campeche Sound. The results indicate that the expression of transcript of the estrogen receptor and vitellogenin indicates are potentially useful as molecular biomarker for detecting the presence of endocrine-disruption compounds in environment.