Etude histomorphométrique de la glande thyroïde du marsouin commun (Phocoena phocoena) (L.): Relation potentielle avec différents organohalogénés

Organochlorinated compounds such as polychlorobiphenyls (PCB), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE) and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) have the characteristic to influence the endocrine system of many fish species and mammals and are thus qualified as endocrine disruptors. The objective of this project aims a better understanding of the effects of these compounds on the thyroid function of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

Thyroid tissue and muscle of 46 seabass from the Aegean Sea in Greece (fished and aquaculture, n=15 and n=31, respectively) were sampled. The levels in PCBs, DDT and DDE were evaluated in the muscles of 30 individuals. The diameter of follicles and the epithelial cell heights were measured in each individual by optical microscopy. The concentration of the thyroid hormone T4 (thyroxin) was measured by Radio-Immuno-Assay (RIA). Finally, the potential relationships between these thyroid parameters and these organic compounds were investigated using factor analysis and multiple regressions.

A significant relationship between persistent organic pollutants (muscular PCBs and DDT concentration) and the different thyroid parameters (diameters of follicles, epithelial cell heights and muscular T4 levels) could be observed. We cannot exclude the assumption that an endocrine disruption of thyroid gland related to these pollutants could be the origin of the modifications of these thyroid parameters.