Concern over certain classes of organic contaminants has heightened because they have been shown to mimic estrogen, disrupting the endocrine system and affecting sexual and other estrogen related development in vertebrates at low concentrations. Vitellogenin (Vg), is a very sensitive indicator of xenoestrogenic pollutants in fish. Vg production is limited to females, when males are exposed to xenoestrogenic compounds Vg was produced, and testosterone was depressed (Folmar et al 1996). This research proposes to document a Vg cycle from sunfish caught in a polluted site compared to a 'clean' site. Livers from specimens archived in Tulane's museum of Natural History 20 years ago from the same sites will be compared to current findings. Vg analysis will be done by western blotting, and livers will be analyzed for Vg using immunohistochemical methods. The goals of this research are to assess present day and historical risks posed by contaminants and water quality changes, actually establishing a biotic monitoring program in a heavily industrialized area where humans use fish as a food source.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31GM019876-04
Application #
6588375
Study Section
Minority Programs Review Committee (MPRC)
Program Officer
Toliver, Adolphus
Project Start
2001-12-10
Project End
Budget Start
2002-03-10
Budget End
2002-06-09
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$6,189
Indirect Cost
Name
Tulane University
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70118