OECD 229: Fish short-term reproduction assay (FSTRA)

The OECD 229: Fish Short-Term Reproduction Assay (FSTRA) is used to inform how chemicals impact reproduction in fish (by various methods including disrupting the endocrine system). Sexually mature male and female fish are exposed to the test chemical for 21 days after which endocrine activity of the test chemical is investigated by measuring two biomarker endpoints in both males and females: vitellogenin and secondary sexual characteristics. Vitellogenin is measured in the fathead minnow, Japanese medaka and zebrafish, whereas secondary sex characteristics are measured in the fathead minnow and Japanese medaka. To add to the weight of evidence, throughout the test quantitative fecundity is monitored daily and the histopathology of preserved gonads may also be evaluated to further assess reproductive fitness.