Use of a series of homologous in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate the endocrine modulating actions of β-sitosterol in rainbow trout

Pulp and paper mill effluents have been shown to affect reproductive and endocrine functions in fish. We investigated the potential of β-sitosterol, a plant sterol found in relatively large quantities in most pulp and paper mill effluents, to contribute to these effects. The actions of β-sitosterol were investigated using a series of in vitro and in vivo assays based on different levels of cellular organization in rainbow trout using the …