2012- 21st Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Symposium

Session Time : 4/10/12 10:30 AM - 4/10/12 11:45 AM

Content Area : Biological Sciences

Poster Appointment: , -

Student Presenters :
Stephanie Michelle Leyrer Biological Sciences

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
Heather Patisaul Biology

Abstract Title : Neonatal Bisphenol A exposure alters sexually dimorphic gene expression in the postnatal rat hypothalamus

Abstract :
Bisphenol A (BPA), a component of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, is a well recognized endocrine disrupting compound. In rats, neonatal life is a critical window for sexual dimorphic hypothalamic organization, thus endocrine disrupting compound exposure during this period may interfere with this process. We hope to show that, in early postnatal life, sex differences in estrogen receptor (ER) alpha, ER beta, and kisspeptin (Kiss1) gene expression in the anterior and mediobasal hypothalamus can be pronounced at birth but transient, and region specific. Our hypothesis is that neonatal BPA exposure would alter the sex specific expression of these genes. Long Evans rats will be neonatally exposed to vehicle, 10?g estradiol benzoate, 50 mg/kg BPA or 50 ?g/kg BPA by subcutaneous injection daily over the first three days of life. Brains will be collected on postnatal days (PND) 4 and 10 (6-9 animals/group).