Effects of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Cortisol Production and Development in Xenopus laevis

Augustine, Niki

Effects of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Cortisol Production and Development in Xenopus laevis

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/41476

Author(s)

Augustine, Niki

Date Issued

March 2016

Abstract

Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a suspected endocrine disruptor (ED). Phthalate levels in the environment are rising and so are the concerns for wildlife and human health, because exposure to phthalates can be detrimental. Amphibian populations are declining rapidly, and they are at the highest risk for exposure to EDs. However, DEHP exposure did not affect the amount of cortisol excreted in urine as assessed by enzyme-linked immunoassay. X. laevis tadpoles exposed to 14 µg/ml DEHP from NF-stage 39-40 to NF-stage 51-53 had increased body mass and decreased limb development in post-hatching developing tadpoles compared to controls. These results give us further insight into potential explanations for the amphibian population decline and increase in the non-communicable diseases in human health.

Major

Biology

Honors

Biology, 2016

First Reader(s)

Rankin, Susan