RUI: Behavioral and neuroendocrine consequences of phytoestrogen exposure

植物雌激素是由植物产生的内分泌干扰物，类似于动物产生的雌激素。鉴于这一相似之处，植物雌激素可以在人类或非人类动物的身体和大脑中模拟雌激素的作用。本项目将系统地表征三种具有代表性的植物雌激素对成年雄性斗鱼Betta plendens正常行为模式的影响，这是一个理想的动物模型，因为它们的行为和生理被相对较好地了解，而且它们的神经内分泌与包括哺乳动物在内的其他脊椎动物相似。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定位于睾丸的雌激素受体结合，并确定这种植物雌激素暴露是否会减少睾酮和11-酮睾酮的产生，减少精子产生，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的雌激素受体结合的直接结果，这可能会改变大脑的神经化学，并影响神经递质如5-羟色胺、多巴胺和去甲肾上腺素的产生和代谢。这项研究将有助于更好地理解植物雌激素如何影响动物的行为和生理，并表明面对环境雌激素暴露时生殖是如何持续的。NSF的资助还将为阿默斯特学院的本科生提供大量的研究和培训机会。

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.