RUI: Behavioral and neuroendocrine consequences of phytoestrogen exposure

RUI：植物雌激素暴露对行为和神经内分泌的影响

基本信息

批准号：
0725186
负责人：
Ethan Clotfelter
金额：
$ 24.45万
依托单位：
Amherst College
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Standard Grant
财政年份：
2007
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2007-09-01 至 2012-08-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0725186&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
RUI Behavioral neuroendocrine consequences phytoestrogen

项目摘要

Phytoestrogens are endocrine disruptors produced by plants that are analogous to estrogens produced by animals. Given this close analogy, phytoestrogens can mimic estrogen action in the bodies and brains of humans or non-human animals. This project will systematically characterize the effects of three representative phytoestrogens on normal behavior patterns of adult male fighting fish Betta splendens, an ideal animal model because their behavior and physiology are relatively well understood and because their neuroendocrinology is similar to that of other vertebrates, including mammals. The project will determine whether observed behavioral changes occur because phytoestrogens bind directly to estrogens receptors localized in the testes and determine whether such phytoestrogen exposure reduces the production of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone, decreases sperm production, and causes testicular atrophy. Subsequently, the project will determine whether the observed behavioral effects are the direct result of phytoestrogen binding to estrogen receptors in the brain, which could alter brain neurochemistry and affect the production and metabolism of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. This research will contribute to a better understanding of how phytoestrogens affect animal behavior and physiology and indicate how reproduction persists in the face of environmental estrogen exposure. Funding from the NSF will also provide numerous research and training opportunities for undergraduate students at Amherst College.

植物雌激素是由类似于动物产生的雌激素的植物产生的内分泌干扰物。鉴于这种密切的类比，植物雌激素可以模仿人类或非人类动物的身体和大脑中的雌激素作用。该项目将系统地表征三种代表性的植物雌激素对成年男性战鱼betta splendens的正常行为模式的影响，这是一种理想的动物模型，因为它们的行为和生理学相对充分理解，并且因为它们的神经内分泌学类似于其他脊椎动物，包括哺乳动物。该项目将确定观察到的行为变化是否发生，因为植物雌激素直接与睾丸中定位的雌激素受体结合，并确定这种植物雌激素暴露是否会降低睾丸激素和11-酮睾丸激素的产生，降低精子的产生，并导致睾丸萎缩。随后，该项目将确定观察到的行为效应是否是植物雌激素与大脑中雌激素受体结合的直接结果，这可能会改变脑神经化学并影响神经递质的产生和代谢，例如5-羟色胺，多巴胺和去甲肾上腺素。这项研究将有助于更好地了解植物雌激素如何影响动物的行为和生理学，并表明面对环境雌激素暴露时繁殖如何持续。 NSF的资金还将为阿默斯特学院的本科生提供许多研究和培训机会。