Atrazine and the Sexual Differentiation of the
Brain and Gonads
of Two South Florida Anurans
Lisa R. Ganser
University of Miami

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Toads as Models
Goals
Develop toads as an alternative model for the effects of endocrine disruptors on sex differentiation.
Augment results of Hayes et al. (2002) to include brain sexual differentiation.

Collection Sites
GONADS
Sexual Differentiation
of the Gonads
of the Toad
Genetic cues
Hormonal cues

Organization and Activation
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When does sexual differentiation of the gonads of Bufo quercicus and Bufo marinus take place?



Will atrazine affect the sexual differentiation of the gonads?

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Atrazine Dosage Experiment
Methods
Sample tissues @ Gosner stages 31-met.
Histology
General & Immunocytochemistry
Microscopy
Light & Confocal
Quantification
Gonads: complete sex diff., density of oocytes/testis
Neuro:  immunofluorescence, cell density, soma size
Statistics--ANOVA

THE BRAIN
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Sexual Differentiation of the Brain
AVT
Reproductive behaviors
AVT-sensitive areas of brain
Orientation to breeding site
Calling
Call phonotaxis


When does sexual differentiation of the brain occur in B. quercicus and B. marinus?



Does atrazine affect the sexual differentiation of the brain and gonads of
B. quercicus and B. marinus?
Predictions
Sex diff. gonads = Gosner st. 35
Sex diff. brain = post metamorphosis
Sex diff. areas = amygdala
Atrazine gonads = feminization @ low dose
Atrazine brain = feminization

Importance
Amphibians and wildlife
Florida
Humans

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"My Fabulous Committee:"
My Fabulous Committee:
Dr. Jim OÕReilly and
Dr. John Lu, advisors
Dr. Ed Green
Dr. Bill Hopkins
THE OÕLAB
Ron, Mark, and Gabe
Seth Tomchik
Dennis Wasko
Robyn OÕReilly

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ANOVA
F-ratio error
Dose=Tank(Dose)
Stage=Tank x Stage
Dose x Stage =
Tank(Dose) x Stage
F-distribution
DoseÑfixed
StageÑfixed
Tank(Dose)Ñrandom
Dose x Stage
Tank(Dose) x Stage