This study addresses environmental pollutants that concern today's culture. Parabens have been implicated in effects on the body, such as altering gene expression and causing dysregulation of normal basal functions. Exposure to them is nearly unavoidable because parabens are highly used, inexpensive organic compounds. Several studies have shown that they mimic the steroid hormone estrogen. Mimicry of the estrogen hormone causes endocrine disruptions, which can cause unexpected effects on the body. The following hypothesis was tested: Parabens mimic estrogen and will act as an endocrine disruptor in common guppies, Poecilla reticulata. This research has examined for abnormal expression of proteins and physical changes in male Poecilla reticulata exposed to either estrogen or butylparaben. The researchers have been using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, attempting to detect vitellinogen, an egg protein normally made only by female fish. If this protein is detected in treated males, it may provide evidence that parabens mimic estrogen and cause endocrine system disruption.
