Fish Reproductive Physiology Lab
Principle Investigator
Dr. Glen Van Der Kraak
Education
B.Sc. – University of Manitoba
M.Sc. – University of Manitoba
Ph.D. – University of British Columbia
Research
Multifactorial Regulation of Ovarian Function in Teleosts
Fish are used as the experimental model for studies investigating how the actions of hormones, growth factors of ovarian origin and intracellular signal transduction pathways interact to coordinate ovarian growth and differentiation. While our studies in the past used goldfish and rainbow trout our most recent work focuses on the zebrafish so that we can exploit the daily spawning in order to characterize the temporal sequence of endocrine changes that accompany oocyte final maturation and ovulation. We study the control of growth, atresia and hormone biosynthetic capacity of zebrafish ovarian follicles during the period of oocyte maturation and at ovulation. In addition, we are addressing the relevance of growth factors to ovarian physiology (IGFs, steroids, retinoids) by studying their actions and assessing of their sites of synthesis within the ovary and regulation of their production.
Evaluation of Reproductive Fitness in Fish
Awareness that chemicals in the environment affect reproductive performance of feral fish populations through effects on endocrine homeostasis has led to the implementation of industrial process changes and waste treatment strategies designed to eliminate or reduce the release of harmful chemicals to the environment. As a result, there is a need to develop rapid methods of determining the effectiveness of technological changes as they pertain to reproductive endocrine endpoints. On going research focuses on the development of short term in vitro techniques through to whole animal test methods applicable in lab and field settings to evaluate both general reproductive physiology through to the effects seen following exposure to chemicals on reproductive physiology of fish. The long term goal of this work is to establish whether chemicals which are identified on the basis of in vitro bioactivity are predictive of effects in vivo and to determine which endocrine responses are most sensitive in terms of whole animal and population levels effects. Our traditional focus has been on the effects of pulp and paper and sewage effluent discharges but one of the new areas where we are working relate to the impacts associated with exposure to wastes generated during the processing of the Alberta oil sands. We also have with collaborators at the University of British Columbia and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans been studying the underlying mechanisms responsible for early migration and high levels of pre-spawning mortality in several stocks of Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka).
Ecotoxicological Effects of Atrazine on Amphibians
Atrazine is a widely used herbicide that is applied to corn sorghum and sugar cane crops. There is concern that amphibians may be exposed to atrazine as a result of run-off to waterbodies in the vicinity of agriculutural land following application the herbicide. There is concern that atrazine may function as an endocrine disruptor and adversely effect reproductive development in amphibians. With a consortium of researchers in the Canada, the United States and South Africa, we are investigating the effects of atrazine on various aspects of reproductive development in both lab and field settings
Research Staff
Jacquie Matsumoto
Education
B.Sc. – University of Guelph
M.Sc. – University of Guelph
The research I conduct focuses on the impact of human activities on the health and reproductive fitness of fish. We study the effects of a variety of complex mixtures and targeted compounds, including effluent released by wastewater treatment facilities, effluent from the manufacture of pulp and paper and pesticides found in agricultural runoff. Using zebrafish as a model species, we examine the effects of these compounds at a molecular level using qPCR and enzyme immunoassay and link molecular changes to an adverse outcome like reduced spawning success.
Graduate Students
Jazmin Wynter
Education
B.Sc. – University of Guelph
M.Sc. Candidate – University of Guelph
I am currently completing my second year as a masters student in the Van Der Kraak lab at the University of Guelph. My research focuses on understanding the effects of hypoxia on reproductive function. Specifically, I am assessing the role in which the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) might be involved in mitigating reproduction function during hypoxia exposure.
I am very interested in understanding how climate change and human activity are impacting the environment and aquatic organisms. I have always been very passionate about the health of our environment and would love to contribute to conservation efforts in the future.
Former Graduate Students
Sheridan Baker, Ph.D.
Thesis title: The role and regulation of prostaglandins and their receptors in ovulation in the zebrafish, Danio rerio
(2021).
Yash Badlani, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Characterization of miRNAs in full grown follicles in the zebrafish ovary (2021).
Hailey Hunter, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha and Ovulation in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) (2018).
Abiran Sritharan, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), phthalates and reproduction in the female zebrafish (Danio rerio) (2017).
Trevor Partch, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Characterization of the Ovarian Corticotropin-Releasing Factor System and its anti-steroidogenic effects in Zebrafish (2017).
Courtney McDermid, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Progesterone as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC): Reproductive effects of waterborne progesterone on female zebrafish (Danio rerio) (2016).
Cory Schilling, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Mechanisms of reproductive inhibition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to ethinylestradiol, nitrate and ammonia (2015).
Madelyn Cosme, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Inhibition of spawning in zebrafish (Danio rerio): Adverse outcome pathways of quinacrine and ethinylestradiol (2014).
Olivia Knight, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Characterizing the Role of Eicosanoids in Maturation-Inducing Steroid-Mediated Ovulation and Spawning in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) (2014).
Richard Kavanagh, Ph.D.
Thesis title: The Effects of Oil Sands Process-Affected Waters and their Associated Constituents on Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Reproductive Physiology (2012).
David Irwin, M.Sc.
Thesis title: The Regulation and function of the ovarian-derived insulin-like growth factor system in zebrafish (Danio rerio) (2011).
Nick Melnyk, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Regulation of prostaglandin synthesis in the zebrafish ovary (2011).
Meghan Fuzzen, M.Sc.
Thesis title: Regulation of the endocrine stress response and the modulating effects of sex steroids in zebrafish (Danio rerio) (2010).