Phytochemical Endocrinology

有明确的迹象表明，饮食因素会影响包括人类在内的灵长类动物的生殖生理。一些植物化学物质模仿动物类固醇的作用，因此可能直接影响生殖功能甚至发育。该项目将开发一套适合在自然环境中调查这些行为的方法。研究者将发展三条分析线。首先，她将直接检测人类和灵长类动物食用的植物性食物中的植物化学成分。其次，她将尝试通过粪便类固醇分析在自然种群中开发一种类固醇分析生殖功能，并通过将其与血清谱进行比较来验证这些结果。第三条分析线将把植物化学物质摄入与生殖反应联系起来。

There are clear suggestions that elements of the diet influence the physiology of reproduction in primates, including humans. Some plant chemicals mimic the actions of animal steroids and therefore may directly influence reproductive function and even development. This project will develop a set of methods appropriate for investigating these actions in a natural setting. The investigator will develop three lines of analysis. First, she will directly assay phytochemical in plants foods eaten by humans and primates. Second, she will attempt to develop a steroid analysis reproductive function in natural populations via fecal steroid analysis, validating these results by comparing them with serum profiles. The third line of analysis will relate phytochemical intake to reproductive responses.