Home > Our Lab Members
Vance Trudeau Posted by trudeauv on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 (EST) Neurobiology of Reproduction and Development and my concept of Neuroendocrine Disruption I have many interests- this is both a source of joy and major problems- but that’s how it is! I am fascinated by the concept of neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction and development and how environmental factors control breeding cycles. As well, how and why do pollutants and phytochemicals disrupt neuroendocrine processes? What I have been thinking about for some time? Most aspects of physiology are controlled by the hypothalamus, be it internal hormonal feedback, or response to natural external factors (photoperiod, temperature). Therefore, it is logical to assume that the neuroendocrine axis will be of major importance in the response to exogenous factors, including pollutants of all types. Thus it is the brain that responds quickest to endocrine disruptors. This is the case for some chemicals, and neuroactive human pharmaceuticals (like Prozac!) now found in the environment. Moreover, endocrine disruption is more than a change in hormone levels or interactions with a receptor. A pollutant can act at many levels to upset the normal cascade alone the hypothalamo-pituitary-end organ axis. I call the concept “NEUROENDOCRINE DISRUPTION” (first proposed via this website in 2007). It extends the concept of endocrine disruption to include the reality of integrative physiology and systems biology. We certainly have to refine the definition. The recent symposium (July 2010, Rouen) on neuroendocrine effects of endocrine disruptors, organized by my friend Olivier Kah is worth looking at. We have a series of review papers published in a special volume in J. Tox. Env. Health (B). We now have to think about global climate changes (temperature, hypoxic dead zones in aquatic ecosystems) and potential endocrine disruptors as well. I am lucky to be able to explore my varied scientific interest because a dedicated bunch of students, PDFS and visiting colleagues, and an awesome set of colleagues in the Dept. and all over the world. Together we receive funding from NSERC Discovery and Strategic programs, as well as Ontario’s Best in Science Program, The Canadian Water Network and others.