You are here:
REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS OF CONTAMINANTS IN OVIPAROUS VEREBRATES: WORKSHOP INTRODUCTION
Citation:
Mihaich, E. M., J. deFur, W H. Benson, C. Tyler, L S. Birnbaum, R. T. Di Giulio, AND D. E. Tillitt. REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS OF CONTAMINANTS IN OVIPAROUS VEREBRATES: WORKSHOP INTRODUCTION.
Description:
The purpose of this book is to disseminate the critical discussions on reproductive and developmental effects in oviparous vertebrates that occurred during the SETAC Pellston Workshop in Fairmont, Montana in July 1997. The workshop brought together experts from fields of reproductive and developmental biology, environmental toxicology and chemistry, ecology, and risk assessment. These individuals were selected to achieve balance
among academia, government, and the private sector.
In the context of oviparous vertebrates, the workshop focused on the routes of contaminant exposure and the mechanisms of effect on reproduction and development, organismal outcomes, and ecological ramifications. The workshop included discussions of laboratory and field approaches to link exposure and effect and to integrate this information into ecological risk assessments focused on contaminants in which reproductive and developmental effects are the primary concern.
There are numerous reasons why the workshop focused on oviparous vertebrates. The oviparous lifestyle has particular nuances that may predispose such species to early life-stage exposures and to developmental effects. These effects may occur during larval development or during the juvenile or adult stage, depending upon the species. Exposures at early-life stages may lead to alterations in key developmental processes, as well as increased susceptibility to chemical insults as adults. Exposures at maturity could also disrupt normal
reproductive physiology.