Reproductive Effects of 17 13-Estradiol, Bisphenol A, and Tributyltin in AIptasia Pallida

The potential for adverse effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and estrogenic pollutants on cnidarians is unknown. Adult sea anemones (Aiptasia pallida) were subjected to three endocrine-active chemicals that are ubiquitous in the marine environment. The 21-day exposure trial included treatments of 17 β-estradiol, bisphenol A (BPA), and tributyltin (TBT) at concentrations found in the coastal marine environment and at concentrations 25X that found in nature. Endpoints monitored included: number of adults producing offspring (lacerates) asexually, number of lacerates produced, and the time for a newly formed lacerate to develop into a juvenile anemone. There was no statistically significant difference in any of these endpoints between treated and control anemones. The data suggest reproductive function of A. pallida is not disrupted by ecologically relevant concentrations of 17 β-estradiol, BPA, and TBT. Future studies should examine the effects of these chemicals on marine invertebrates with more complex reproductive cycles, such as scleractinian corals.