Ecdysteroid metabolism in Neomysis integer and its future perspectives in invertebrate endocrine disruption research
Ghekiere, A.; Verslycke, T.; Janssen, C.R. (2003). Ecdysteroid metabolism in Neomysis integer and its future perspectives in invertebrate endocrine disruption research, in: Mees, J. et al. (Ed.) VLIZ Young Scientists' Day, Brugge, Belgium 28 February 2003: book of abstracts. VLIZ Special Publication, 12: pp. 38
In: Mees, J.; Seys, J. (Ed.) (2003). VLIZ Young Scientists' Day, Brugge, Belgium 28 February 2003: book of abstracts. VLIZ Special Publication, 12. Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Oostende. VIII, 69 pp., more
In: VLIZ Special Publication. Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee (VLIZ): Oostende. ISSN 1377-0950, more
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Available in | Authors |
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Document type: Summary
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Keywords |
Aquatic organisms > Marine organisms > Aquatic animals > Marine invertebrates Biological development > Embryonic development Biological phenomena > Metamorphosis > Moulting Chemical compounds > Organic compounds > Lipids > Steroids Ecdysteroids Metabolism Population characteristics > Population structure > Sex ratio Reproduction Secretory organs > Glands > Endocrine glands Secretory products > Hormones Vitellogenesis Neomysis integer (Leach, 1814) [WoRMS] Belgium, Schelde R. [Marine Regions] Marine/Coastal; Terrestrial |
Abstract |
Although research efforts on the potential detrimental effects of endocrine disruptors have exponentially grown over the last decade, few studies have focused on invertebrates and this has undoubtedly led to the limited number of publications on invertebrate endocrine disruption. However, an increased awareness of invertebrate-specific endocrine regulated processes and their disruption by chemicals, should stimulate further research efforts on endocrine disruption in invertebrates. A well-documented endocrine regulated invertebrate-specific process is molting. Ecdysteroids are the molting hormones in crustaceans and other arthropods. They also have an important function in the control of reproduction, vitellogenesis and embryogenesis. Some pesticides are intentionally produced to disrupt the functionality of these hormones, but few studies have focused on the potential effects of these pesticides on non-target organisms. In this perspective, we are examining the estuarine mysid Neomysis integer as a test species for endocrine disruption (Verslycke et al., Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 126, pp. 190-199). In addition to the ecdysteroid metabolism, a number of related endpoints (e.g. vitellogenesis, growth, energy metabolism, sex-ratio) may be important indicators of endocrine disrupting effects in invertebrates. To examine the effects of different endocrine disrupting chemicals on the endocrine system of N. integer, a preceding fundamental study of the ecdysteroid metabolism and its related endpoints is completed in our laboratory. Subsequently, mysids will be exposed to three groups of chemicals, representing compounds with an analogue activity: juvenile hormone analogues, ecdysone analogues and vertebrate-type hormones. In addition, we have been doing field studies with N. integer, coupled with chemical and in vitro analyses for three years, to evaluate endocrine disrupting effects in situ in the Scheldt Estuary. |
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