Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been measured in the Grand River, and in the muscle of fish inhabiting this water body. While the accumulation of this chemical in the fetus leads to multi-generational effects in mammals, we know very little about long-term effects of BPA exposure in fish. Here we are proposing to test the multi-generational effects associated with BPA accumulation in fish eggs. The rationale behind this paradigm is that contaminants such as BPA, which accumulate in tissues, are transferred to the eggs from the mother. This may have huge implications in developmental programming events, and indeed our previous study showed that BPA affects long-term growth and stress responses in rainbow trout. Here we are asking the question whether BPA accumulation in the eggs, mimicking maternal transfer, can lead to phenotypes of compromised growth and stress responses in multiple generations. A multi-tiered approach comparing changes in trout phenotype along with changes in genome and metabolic pathways (termed ""OMICs"" in this proposal) over two generations will be undertaken. Such ""OMICs"" responses will be compared with other physiological measures, including changes in hormone levels and their action, in response to growth and stress, as indicators of altered fish performance. Collectively, the results will allow us to develop novel risk assessment tools that will increase our capacity for predicting population-level damage. There is a push to develop appropriate treatment infrastructure for reducing emerging contaminants in our water bodies. The Waterloo Region and Grand River Conservation Authority are very interested in science-driven responses to public inquiries, especially given the publicity surrounding the BPA effects in animals and humans. The outcomes from this study will give them a much better risk assessment paradigm from which to respond to concerns than is currently available. The knowledge and understanding of generational effects induced by BPA accumulation in eggs, and the development of markers that will predict these effects, will be useful tools for Canadian government managers monitoring the aquatic environment, and for industry environmental toxicologists.