Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Transcriptomic responses of the hypothalamus-pituitary–gonadal axis in xenoestrogen (alkylphenols) – exposed fish |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Focus area : | Environmental Toxicology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Radha Chaube, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | chauberadha@rediffmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | The incidence and/or prevalence of health problems associated with endocrine disruption have increased over the years. Many observations do suggest that endocrine disruptors contribute to cancer, diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders and reproductive failures. Waste water, a by-product of offshore oil production, contains significant amounts of alkylphenols (APs) and other pollutants such as xenoestrogens and heavy metals. Many studies have shown that APs cause endocrine disruption in marine organisms, but relatively little is known about their long-term effects on the biology of teleost fish species, especially with regard to their reproduction at transcriptomic level. In India, the prevalence of AP contamination in freshwater bodies like rivers, lakes and ponds isvery acute and comprehensive scientific evaluation of the extent of the problem in the reproduction of fishes is lacking. The main objective of the present proposal is to a) generate and analyse data (transcriptomic profiling of genes and factors) after exposure to catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) to AP under laboratory conditions and assessthe impact on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis function. Transcriptomics profiling will help to identify differentially expressed genes that can actually be acting as targets involved in environmentally caused diseases, including those affecting the hormonal systems. The methodology will include exposure of the catfish to a standardized dose of alkylphenols (tert-butylphenol,4-nonylphenol) alone or in mixture. Parallel to this treatment, catfishes collected from natural riverine resources will be used for trancrptomic profiling. RNA-seq technique of the HPG axis(hypothalamus, pituitary,ovary, testis) and liver will be conducted. Screening of genes related to specific disorders and functions will help us in identifying impact of tested endocrine disrupting chemicals on health-related issues. The lab generated data will be compared to the study conducted at natural river sites of Varanasi region (where industrial wastes and anthropogenic activities are acute). This study will be highly significant in terms of developing awareness among local people regarding direct and indirect impacts of APs on human health. |
Total Budget (INR): | 38,17,260 |
Organizations involved