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“Reproductive development and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expression in estradio-and-atrazine-treated salamanders.” Sarah Leupen, Ph.D., Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH 43015 Recent declines in an array of amphibian species probably have many causes. One possible cause is damage to reproductive development by endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) produced in industry and agriculture. However, little is known of the basic neural and endocrine control of the amphibian reproductive system, or, surprisingly, the mechanism or site of EDC action. In particular, atrazine, the most widely used pesticide in the world, is a well-established EDC, but its mechanism and site of action are not well established. We will examine the effects of atrazine on GnRH neuron development and expression in the axolotl, using as a positive control estrogen, which has been shown to have demasculinizing effects in developing salamanders. We hypothesize that axolotls raised in estradiol- or atrazine-treated water will suffer negative feedback effects on GnRH development, expression and release, which will inhibit production and release of LH and FSH and gonadal development. Sarah Leupen, Ph.D.
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