The goal of this research is to study the effect of benzo-alpha-pyrene (BαP) as a pollutant on the plasma levels of cortisol, thyroxin (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones, and the T3/T4 ratio in the yellowfin sea bream, Acanthopagrus latus. The BαP (50 mg kg-1) in vegetable oil was peritoneally injected. Blood samples were obtained from the treated and control groups after 3 and 72 hr, respectively. The amounts of cortisol, T3, and T4 were measured using the ELISA techniques. The results showed that during both the 3 and 72 hr BαP exposures, the T4 hormone levels significantly decreased, although the cortisol levels increased (P<0.05). However, the T3 hormone levels and T3/T4 ratios compared with their control groups showed a significant difference just after 72 hr (P<0.05). The disruptive effects of the BαP exposure on T4 was stronger than that on the T3, being more evident in long-term stress. Thus, the BαP exerts a significant effect on the thyroid endocrine system and consequently on fish metabolism and growth.
