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Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology pp 261–278Cite as

Using the Alternative Model C. elegans in Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Studies

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Part of the book series: Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology ((MIPT))

Abstract

Reproduction is an extraordinarily complex biological process that requires the coordinated action of multiple cell types over the course of several months in rodent to many years in humans. A proper execution of the male and female reproductive programs is therefore crucial for the production of viable gametes and the propagation of species. Mounting evidence highlights the exquisite sensitivity of reproductive pathways to environmental influences. Therefore, there is a great need for comprehensive testing of environmental chemicals to examine their effects on reproduction. To this effect, alternative animal models, such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, offer great advantages rooted in their biology which will be explored in this chapter. We will introduce the use of C. elegans in toxicology, its reproductive features that can be mobilized, and describe several validated assays that can greatly inform targeted mammalian studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles Young Drive South, CHS 56-070, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Daniel W. Ferreira, Yichang Chen & Patrick Allard

  2. Molecular Toxicology, Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Yichang Chen & Patrick Allard

  3. Institute for Society & Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Patrick Allard

Authors
  1. Daniel W. Ferreira
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  2. Yichang Chen
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  3. Patrick Allard
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick Allard .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. MPI Research, Mattawan, Michigan, USA

    Ali S. Faqi

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© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Ferreira, D.W., Chen, Y., Allard, P. (2014). Using the Alternative Model C. elegans in Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Studies. In: Faqi, A. (eds) Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology. Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/7653_2014_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/7653_2014_27

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7206-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7208-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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