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Research Project
During my summer as an intern in the Biochemistry Department
of MSU, I am assisting Dr. Scott Kramer with two projects involving
the effects of estrogenic chemicals. The primary project involves
using Japanese quail to examine the effects of exposure to estrogenic
chemicals on vitellogenin gene expression using RT-PCR. Vitellogenin,
which is a phospholipoglycoprotein precursor to egg yolk in
ovoviparous organisms, can be used as a biomarker for exposure
to estrogenic compounds as a result of estrogen's ability to
induce vitellogenin production in the liver. Liver samples are
collected from the quail, and then levels of vitellogenin mRNA
are measured using RT-PCR.
The minor objective of my summer internship is to assist Dr.
Kramer with a study investigating the effects of developmental
exposure of B6D2-F1 mice to genistein, a phytosteroid found
in unfermented soy products that imitates estrogen to some extent.
One of three genistein/corn oil concentrations is administered
during gestation and following parturition until weaning. The
goals of the experiment are to study the effects of estrogenic
chemicals on sperm viability and alterations in gene expression
profiles in the testis.
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