Season 1, Episode 6 - Endocrine Disruptors

All the important links, repro news and guest bios from this month's episode

Sourced: SMH

Guests

Professor Andrew Pask

Professor Andrew Pask's research examines development of the reproductive system, particularly the influence of hormones and endocrine disruptors on reproductive disease. His current research is focused on the rapid identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), hypospadias- one of the most common birth defects in humans affecting 1:125 live male births in Australia- and the transgenerational impacts of EDC exposures. Using a novel combination of mouse, human and marsupial models, his research has redefined the role of hormones in gonad and penis development.

Associate Professor Mark Green

Mark is the Deputy Scientific Director for Monash IVF and an Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne where he teaches Reproductive Biology. His research focuses on understanding how environmental factors such as endocrine disruptors (PFAS and atrazine), light pollution and heat stress, as well as assisted reproductive technologies, affect fertility. Specifically, he focuses on how these factors affect eggs, sperm, the development and metabolism of the early embryo and the long-term health of subsequent generations.

Early Career Researcher Spotlight

Tayler Kent

Tayler is a PhD candidate in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University, where she uses sheep as a research model to investigate the effects of popular herbal ‘fertility’ supplements on sperm biochemistry. She also teaches into a number of pharmacology and toxicology units both at Murdoch and through Open Universities Australia. Outside of work she enjoys using social media for science communication, running and reading.

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Repro News

Upcoming conferences and abstract deadlines

48th International Embryo Technology Society Annual Conference

10th - 13th of January 2022, Savannah, Georgia

Abstract submissions closed, registration open until 13th January 2022

https://www.iets.org/Meetings/2022-IETS-Annual-Meeting

24th European Congress of Endocrinology

21st - 24th of May 2022, Milan, Italy

Abstract submissions due by 31st January 2022

https://www.ese-hormones.org/events-deadlines/european-congress-of-endocrinology/ece-2022/general-information/

Fertility 2022

5th - 8th of January 2022, Liverpool, UK

Abstract submissions closed, registration open

https://fertilityconference.org/

Upcoming training

Embryo Grading Workshop

Free interactive webinar through IETS

https://www.iets.org/Foundation/Webinars

Upcoming awards and grants

Lalor Foundation Fellowship

Applications due 15th of January every year

http://lalorfound.org/postdoctoral-fellowship-program/229-2/

Association of Applied Animal Andrology Student Competition

Abstracts due for competition by 29th January 2022

https://www.animalandrology.org/event-4331694

Paper of the month

Non-invasive, label-free optical analysis to detect aneuploidy within the inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo

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Check out the below links to get access to more information on EDCs, published by Prof Pask and A/Prof Green

Mattiske, D.M.; Pask, A.J. Endocrine disrupting chemicals in the pathogenesis of hypospadias; developmental and toxicological perspectives. Current Research in Toxicology 2021, 2, 179-191.

Cook Laura E., Finger Bethany J., Green Mark P., Pask Andrew J. (2019) Exposure to atrazine during puberty reduces sperm viability, increases weight gain and alters the expression of key metabolic genes in the liver of male mice. Reproduction, Fertility and Development31, 920-931

An article published by Sydney Morning Herald- "These scientists think plastics are shrinking penises"

Herbicide harming marsupial health and development research finds Atrazine impacts reproduction in kangaroos and wallabies

Safe Herbicide in Australian water affects males fertility

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Episode sponsored by

CEVA Animal Health