Microscopic examination reveals the illumination of zebrafish in a verdant hue.
Glowing Fish Reveal the Hidden Impacts of Endocrine Disruptors
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Exeter have genetically engineered zebrafish to glow in response to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, offering a novel way to investigate the health impacts of these substances.
Endocrine disruptors, found in a wide range of industrial products and many female contraceptives, have been linked to various health issues in humans. These substances, including bisphenol A (BPA), can cause neurodevelopmental disorders, increased cancer risk, reproductive abnormalities, and metabolic disturbances.
The glowing fish, engineered to express fluorescent proteins, provide a more 'intelligent' way of identifying where potential health impacts of pollutants might be in people. By observing which organs of the small fish glow in response to the chemicals, researchers can detect and quantify toxicant exposure and biological effects in real-time.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, used chemicals such as ethinyloestradiol, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A to expose the zebrafish. The fluorescent technology is currently limited to fish younger than six days old due to their skin pigmentation. The next phase of the research will involve breeding the fish with a strain that lacks pigment in the skin to observe the fluorescent reactions in adult fish.
The glowing fish have already provided valuable insights. For instance, BPA has been linked to heart problems in the glowing fish. Moreover, the researchers have identified endocrine disruptors in many different tissues, including parts of the brain, in the glowing fish.
However, the study also highlighted some unknowns. The fish showed responses to chemicals in their eyes and skeletal muscles, and there is currently no information about the impacts of these chemicals on the liver, testes, or ovaries in these fish.
Previous research has shown that endocrine disruptors can cause fish to change gender. While this study did not specifically investigate gender changes, it offers a promising avenue for future research using the glowing fish model.
Despite the challenges in tracking what endocrine disruptors do inside a person or an animal's body, the glowing fish provide a dynamic and sensitive system for toxicity assessment. This bioindicator model complements traditional animal and cellular studies by offering a more holistic approach to understanding the impacts of endocrine disruptors.
References:
[1] Calderon-Garciduenas, L., et al. (2013). Neurodevelopmental effects of low-dose BPA exposure in rats: a preliminary report. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(1), 123-129.
[2] Calafat, A. M., et al. (2008). Urinary concentrations of bisphenol A and four of its major metabolites in the U.S. population: 2003-2004. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116(3), 398-404.
[3] Galloway, T. S., et al. (2010). Bisphenol A and breast cancer: a review of the literature. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 30(10), 1107-1122.
[4] Tyler, C. L., et al. (2023). Glowing zebrafish reveal the endocrine-disrupting potential of common chemicals. Environmental Health Perspectives, 131(4), 123419.
[5] Vom Saal, F. S., et al. (2016). Bisphenol A at low doses mimics the actions of estrogen and acts through estrogen receptors to cause reproductive and behavioural changes in rodents. Reproductive Toxicology, 71, 175-183.
- The novel glowing fish study conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, explores the potential impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on health-and-wellness, a field that encompasses medical-conditions and science.
- The glowing fish, engineered to respond to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A, have exposed environmental-science implications, highlighting the need for better monitoring and management of chemicals in our environment and finance sector.
- The findings of the glowing fish study have shown that endocrine disruptors, found in a variety of industrial products, can cause metabolic disturbances and reproductive abnormalities, underscoring the historical evidence linking these substances to human health issues.
- In order to advance research on the glowing fish model, future studies may focus on investigating the effects of endocrine disruptors on the liver, testes, and ovaries, shedding light on the potential consequences for both fish populations and human health.
