In this study we examined pituitary lhb and fshb as markers of estrogen exposure.

Acute 2 ng L⁻¹ EE2 exposure induced pituitary lhb but not liver vtg in juvenile fish.

Pituitary lhb but not vtg was induced in fish exposed to 5 of 8 WWTP effluents.

Lhb mRNA levels may be a sensitive index of estrogenic exposure in juvenile fish.

Our results emphasize the importance of using multiple markers of estrogen exposure.