Exploring the

Effects of
Multiple EDC
Exposure
Katharyn Self
RU Biology
Ecophysiology Lab

What are EDCs?

Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals (EDCs)- are
environmental chemicals
that interfere with the
normal function of the
endocrine system.
The Endocrine System
controls body functions
by releasing hormones
into the blood stream.

http://livingbetter.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/endocrine-system.png

EDCs mimic these hormones, by binding to the

receptor sites on target cells.

http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/cancertopics/understandingcancer/es
trogenreceptors/slide5.gif

EDCs are able to bind to Hormone Receptor

Sites due to a Similar Molecular Structure
http://marshanunleymd.
wordpress.com/2011/03
/04/estrogen-ahormone-muchmaligned/

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

http://chemistry.about.com/od/foodcookingchemistry/a/bha-bhtpreservatives.htm

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIMp4D2HUZo/Tsm4_sIRqI/AAAAAAAABYk/m6hJasd784Q/s200/BPA+vs+Estradiol.png

EDCs
are
commonly
found
in

Diet
Drinking water
Cleaning Chemicals
Hygiene and Beauty products

http://www.brandch
annel.com/features
_effect.asp?
pf_id=88

http://wilkesbarrerecycles.co
m/img/cans_jars.jpg
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/files/images/0608-acid-test-0960.jpg
http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/foodadditives.jpg

EDCs Impact Human Health

We are Born Pre-polluted

In a study done by the
Environmental Working
Group; umbilical cord
blood was taken and
analyzed.
287 different chemicals
were found; and as later
stated by the researchers,
had they tested for an
even broader array they
would have detected
more (Houlihan)

Houlihan J, et al (2005) Body Burden: The Pollution in Newborns. The Environmental Working Group. http://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-

ollution-newborns

http://www.thefutureofhealthnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/baby-inwomb.jpeg

Who is monitoring EDC exposure?

The government (EPA) has
loose interpretations on
what is considered safe
levels of these chemicals.
Most of the EDCS have
been tested singularly on
a model organism
This method of testing is
not ecologically relevant
as organisms are exposed
to multiple EDCs
everyday through
chemicals in their
surroundings and their
diet.

THE BIG QUESTION:

What effects do multiple EDC exposure have
on an organism?
Goal: Explore possible synergistic effects of
common estrogen mimicking EDCs, when
combined at ecologically relevant levels (plausible
exposure rates)

http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3612418/two_flasks_with_blue_and_yellow_sol
utions_1801393.jpg

Estrogenic EDCs
Estrogen

has broad effects on both the male and

female body, ranging from reproduction to bone
growth.
Estrogen helps to regulate the serotonin system,
which afflicts aggression, cognitive function, and
mood (Gayathri C, 2011).
High amounts of external estrogen and estrogenlike chemicals have been linked to; early puberty,
decreased sperm count, sexual dysfunction,
higher frequencies of reproductive cancers
(Jobling ), and feminization of some species in
their natural environment. (Molina)
Gayathri C ,(2011) ZEBRAFISH AS A MODEL TO STUDY THE NEUROENDOCRINE
SYSTEM AND TOXICITY OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS. PhD thesis. Karolinska Institutet,
Stockholm, Sweden.
Jobling S, et al(1995) A variety of environmentally persistent chemicals, including some phthalate plasticizers, are weakly estrogenic. Environ
Health Perspect 103: 582 587. [PMC free article]
[PubMed]
5.Molina A, et al (2011) Endrocrine-active compound evaluation: Qualitative and quantitative histomorphological assessment of zebrafish gonads

 Bisphenol-A

(BPA)
BPA leaches into the food from the
protective inner coating of canned foods and
other food storage and food use products,
including many storage containers made of
polycarbonates.

t!
c
Fa

lly
a
in
g
n
i
r
Fu was o trogen
A i n es n t
P
B d
e
m
e
s
e
r
u lac
o
f
rep rapy
the men
wo
http://www.greenerpackage.com/sites/default/files/bpa2.jpg

http://cdn5.triplepundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/bottled-water.jp

BPA

 Butylated

hydroxyanisole (BHA)
BHA is a common additive to popular
foods
In general BHA is used to keep fats from
spoiling (National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences, 2013)

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/files/wh6_uploads/images/salty-chips.jpg

http://www.tbhq.org/im/bha_graph.jpg

BHA

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bisphenol A (BPA) Questions and

Answers about Bisphenol A, July.18.2013
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-bpa/

THE MODEL ORGANISM:

Gambusia hobrooki

Live bearers
Distinguish between males and females
Hearty
History of being used in EDC research
All Vertebras have similar traits in regards to developmental
processes, physiology and behavior

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/Fish/Eastern

METHODS:
We want to compare high and low doses
as well as combined doses of BPA and
BHA.

Note: Dosages were chosen based on former studies exploring the effects of
estradiol (Reyhanian et al n.d) and BPA (Molina A, et al 2012) in zebrafish and
additional studies on BHA (EFSA panel BHA 2011).

TIMELINE & TREATMENT:

Behaviors such as mating, aggression, and

hyperactivity will be observed and charted.

Upon closure of the experiment, the fish will be

dissected, to observe structural anatomical
abnormalities, as well as morphological changes
in gonadal development (Molina A. et al 2012).
Some tissue samples will be taken and an ELIZA
will be run

Molina A, Lora A, Blanco A, Monterde J, Ayala N, Moyano R. (2011) Endrocrine-active

compound evaluation: Qualitative and quantitative histomorphological assessment of
zebrafish gonads after bisphenol-A exposure. Ecotoxicology and environmental

EXPECTED RESULTS:
Hypothesis

H1: Individuals treated with individual and combined EDCs will

display different reproductive development and behavioral
characteristics than the control-no treatment group.

H2: Individuals treated with individual and combined EDCs will

display similar reproductive development and behavioral
characteristics to the positive control-estradiol group.

H3: Individuals treated with BHA will have lower behavioral,

reproductive, and anatomical abnormalities then the BPA treated
tanks.

H4: The combined tanks are expected to have higher estrogenic

properties, with the tank being treated with both high doses of BPA
and BHA to have synergetic anatomical, behavioral, and
reproductive abnormalities, similar to that of a high amount of
estrogen exposure

Hypothesis Continued
An example of morphological
characteristics;

(Molina A. et al 2012)

THE PROJECT IS STILL GOING!

This summer we completed:
Building the fish lab
Tank set up
Water quality stabilization
Started a breeding colony
Results of this project are expected to be
presented at SICB (Society for Integrative and
Comparative Biology) in January 2015

Acknowledgements
A special thank you to SURF. The SURF funding
provided a stipend that allowed me to stay and
continue research over the summer
The Grant allowed for the freedom to explore
the effects of these endocrine disrupting
chemicals in a way that is relevant to both
environmental health and human health.