Projekte
Molecular Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology
In recent years, there has been growing scientific concerns and public debate over the potential adverse effects that may result from exposure to a group of chemicals and drugs that have the potential to alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system in humans and wildlife (EDCs). Concerns regarding exposure to these EDCs are due primarily to 1) adverse effects observed in certain wildlife, fish, and ecosystems; 2) the increased incidence of certain endocrine-related human diseases (e.g., decreased sperm counts and increasing risk of cancer or impact on male and female reproductive organs); and 3) endocrine disruption resulting from exposure to certain drugs and environmental chemicals observed in laboratory experimental animals.
Endocrine disruption is not considered a toxicological end point per se but a functional change that may lead to adverse effects. For most associations reported between exposure to EDCs and a variety of biologic outcomes, the mechanism(s) of action are poorly understood. Perhaps, the issue of dose-response relationships is the most controversial issue regarding EDCs. One of the reasons is that EDCs often act by mimicking or antagonizing the actions of naturally occurring hormones. These hormones are present at physiologically functional concentrations, so the dose-response considerations for EDCs are often different than for drugs and other environmental chemicals, which are not acting directly on the endocrine system. Reports of low-dose effects of EDCs are highly controversial and the subject of intense research. Timing of exposure is absolutely critical to the understanding of dose-response relationships for EDCs. Population heterogeneity is another important factor in dose-response evaluation. For human health, a number of factors contribute to a wide range of risks, including genetic predisposition, age, gender, diet, disease conditions, and past exposures.
A collective weight of evidence is essential in determining under what conditions (i.e. human genetic differences) observed effects resulting from exposure to EDCs occur via endocrine mediated mechanisms.
The aim of the working group is to assist in the evaluation of human health risks associated with exposure to environmental factors, in particular with respect to reproductive and developmental toxicity. Our group focuses on the effects of endocrine active compounds which may cause adverse health effects resulting from changes in endocrine function.
The scope of our research are:
- in vitro and in vivo screening of estrogen receptor expression and function under the exposure of endocrine disruptors, using transgenic technologies in rat and mice, and
- genetic analysis to study the impact of population heterogeneity leading to differences in the exposure of the developing human fetus by their mothers to exogenous EDCs.
- Evaluation of androgen effects of organotin compounds
- Effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to endocrine active compounds on motor activity and sexual behavior
- Development and evaluation of suitable test methods for generation studies to ascertain reproductive toxicological effects of endocrine active compounds in birds
- Creation of atlases on anomalies in experimental animals (rat, rabbit, mouse and internal harmonization of the descriptive terms
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finden Sie Informationen zum DGPT-Weiterbildungskurs Fremdstoffallergie/ Immuntoxikologie 2012
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Letzte Änderung: 10. Februar 2012, 11:20:43. |
