Molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruption along the reproductive axis in fish

这项研究计划的主要目标是获得性类固醇（雌激素和雄激素）如何介导鱼类繁殖以及这些过程如何受到我们环境中发现的水生污染物的影响的机制理解。通过表征分子信号级联沿着脑垂体性腺肝脏或生殖轴，我们将能够开发分子指纹或生物标志物，这是有用的预测野生动物健康的不利影响。这一点很重要，因为大西洋各省和整个加拿大农业实践中使用的许多杀虫剂和除草剂通过径流进入水系统，作为内分泌干扰化学品，对鱼类种群产生负面影响。

The major objective of this research program is to obtain a mechanistic understanding of how sex steroids (estrogens and androgens) mediate reproduction in fish and how these processes are affected by aquatic contaminants found in our environment. By characterizing molecular signaling cascades along the brain-pituitary-gonad-liver or reproductive axis, we will be able to develop molecular fingerprints or biomarkers which are useful in predicting adverse affects in wildlife health. This is important because many pesticides and herbicides used for agricultural practices in the Atlantic Provinces and throughout Canada enter water systems via runoff, acting as endocrine disrupting chemicals and negatively impact fish populations.