Abstract
We describe a novel method of rapidly assessing exposure of premetamorphic Rana catesbeiana tadpoles to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Tail fin biopsy and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses of the thyroid hormone (TH)-responsive gene, TH receptor beta (TRbeta), demonstrate for the first time that a known accelerant of TH-induced metamorphosis, acetochlor, can significantly enhance TH-induced TRbeta mRNA levels within 24 h at an environmentally relevant dose. Although we focus on laboratory exposures in this study, this method easily can be adapted for use in field studies.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Biological Assay / methods
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Biopsy
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Endocrine System / drug effects
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
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Herbicides / toxicity*
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Larva / genetics
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Metamorphosis, Biological / drug effects*
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Metamorphosis, Biological / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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Rana catesbeiana / genetics*
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Rana catesbeiana / physiology
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Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / biosynthesis*
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Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / genetics
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Thyroid Hormones / biosynthesis
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Thyroid Hormones / genetics
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Toluidines / toxicity*
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Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*
Substances
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Herbicides
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptors, Thyroid Hormone
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Thyroid Hormones
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Toluidines
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Water Pollutants, Chemical
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acetochlor