Projects
01: Mechanisms of action of (xeno)estrogens on the early development and differentiation of brain and gonads in zebrafish (XEBRA).
Mechanisms of endocrine disruption in zebra fish.
The development of the brain and gonads of fish has been observed to be disrupted by environmental estrogens. Here, the mechanisms underlying these observations will be investigated.
Eggen Rik I.L., EAWAG, Dübendorf
e-mail: eggen@eawag.ch
Background
In fish, alterations in sexual development and increased feminization rates have been observed as effects of environmental compounds with estrogenic activity on the endocrine system. The mechanisms underlying these observations are not well understood. Disruptive effects on the development of the brain and gonads may be due to the interference of environmental estrogens with estrogen receptors and the resulting alteration in gene expression, but also to interference with endogenous hormone production.
Aim
The aim of this project is to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the organizational effects of estrogens and the disruptive effects of environmental estrogens on early development and differentiation of the brain and gonads in fish. Zebra fish will be used as a vertebrate model organism to study (xeno)estrogenic effects on these organs and to examine the molecular mechanisms of estrogen-targeted gene expression and the signalling pathways involved.
Significance
This project will promote understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying environmental endocrine disruption. The results of this project will be essential for the development of effective toxicological screening tests and sound risk assessment of endocrine disruption in wildlife.