Grantee Research Project Results

Effects of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on Growth in the Tilapia

EPA Grant Number: FP916428
Title: Effects of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on Growth in the Tilapia
Investigators: Berg, Lori K.
Institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006
Project Amount: $88,288
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2004) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Biochemistry , Biology/Life Sciences , Academic Fellowships

Objective:

Environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) are manmade compounds that alter many aspects of animal physiology, most notably reproduction and development. To date, however, few studies have been done on the effects of EEDs on growth regulation. In vertebrates in general, growth hormone (GH ), released from the pituitary gland, stimulates somatic growth by either acting directly on tissues or indirectly by acting through its mediator, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I ). IGF-I actions are regulated tightly by the IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) family. The objective of my research is to determine how several classes of EEDs alter the GH-IGF-I axis in a euryhaline teleost, the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). I hypothesize that EEDs suppress the GH-IGF-I axis, in part by upregulating production of the egg yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (VTG).

Approach:

To test my hypothesis, I will conduct both in vitro and in vivo studies. For in vitro studies , I will use primary cultures of hepatocytes and pituitary glands prepared from male and female tilapia, in which cells will be exposed to EEDs . After various periods of incubation, the hepatocyte culture medium will be analyzed for VTG and IGFBPs released into the medium. Hepatocyte mRNA will be analyzed for the expression of IGF-I, VTG, and GH and estrogen receptors (GH-R, E2-αR, E2-βR, respectively). Pituitary culture medium will be analyzed for secreted GH, and tissue will be collected to analyze expression of GH, IGF-I, E2-αR, and E2-βR. In vivo studies will be performed on male and female tilapia of various ages to examine the presence of sex and/or age-specific differences. Tilapia will be injected with various EEDs , and the plasma sample s will be taken weekly for 1 month. Plasma will be analyzed for levels of GH, IGF-I, IGFBPs, and VTG. On the last sampling time point , various tissues will be removed for examination of mRNA expression: liver (IGF-I, VTG, E2-αR, E2-βR, GH-R), gonads (IGF-I, E2-αR, E2-βR), and pituitary (GH, E2-αR, E2-βR). These studies will provide a new insight into the mechanism of action of EED on growth regulation not only in fish but also in vertebrates in general.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, environmental endocrine disruptors, telost, tilapia, growth hormone, mRNA expression, growth regulation,, Health, RFA, Scientific Discipline, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Endocrine Disruptors - Human Health, endocrine disruptors, Biochemistry, Endocrine Disruptors - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Chemicals, estrogen response, estuarine crustaceans, toxicity, growth hormone, assays, EDCs, invertebrate model, human growth and development, bioindicator, exposure studies, invertebrates, ecological risk assessment model, endocrine disrupting chemicals, hormone production, assessment technology, androgen, human health risk, Tilapia, estrogen receptors, sexual development, biomarkers

Relevant Websites:

2004 STAR Graduate Fellowship Conference Poster (PDF, 1p., 148KB, about PDF)

Progress and Final Reports:

2004

2005

Final