- In Vitro Screening Test For Oestrogenic Activity
The Department
of Ecotoxicology has validated
a sensitive and specific in
vitro screening test for oestrogenic
chemicals using a recombinant yeast assay. This assay allows
for the generation of reproducible empirical biological data
to be obtained in a cost-and-time-effective manner.
A simple colour change from yellow
to red, measured by a spectrophotometer, indicated the presence
of an oestrogenic chemical. The intensity of the colour change
is directly related to the oestrogenic activity. This assay
has been shown to be suitable for both neat chemicals and
environmental samples and complements the
in vivo mammalian methods also
available at SPL.
A similar assay for androgenic activity
has also been validated. The Department now offers a full
range of oestrogen, androgen, anti-oestrogen and anti-androgen
screens. |
- In Vivo Endocrine Disruption Assay
An in vivo assay to screen
for potential oestrogenic activity has been developed by the
department of reproductive toxicology. The assay is a version
of the uterotrophic assay and is currently in use for a number
of our current clients.
The assay involves the administration of a test material
to the intact juvenile female rat for three consecutive days.
The uterus is examined, excised and weighed. An increased
uterine weight as a result of fluid imbibition is noted. Fluid
imbibition is a characteristic effect of an oestrogenic test
material on the uterus. The use of an intact juvenile obviates
the need for surgical intervention in an adult rat to achieve
the same physiological status. Results of these assays are
supported by the inclusion of a positive control (diethystibestrol).
It is also possible to evaluate any synergistic effects by
administration of an unknown test material with the positive
control.
The combination of this in vivo screening assay together
with existing in vitro assays available at SafePharm
provides the basis of a battery of assays to evaluate potential
endocrine disruption.
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