There is extensive evidence that environmental contaminants and toxic chemicals have harmful effects on humans, animals, and aquatics organisms such as fishes. Examples of environmental contaminants include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), some of which have estrogenic activity, and are known as estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs. Exposure to EDC has brought many adverse effects to fish populations. For instance, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and Bisphenol A (BPA), two kinds of EDCs, stimulate the production of vitellogenin (VTG) and hamper gonadal development in fish. Our studies revealed that VTG is produced in large amounts in male fishes when exposed to EDCs, and that this protein can be used to determine whether a fish is exposed to EDCs or not. Because of the significance of the outcome of our studies, we filed for a provisional patent. Here, we propose to validate our findings and use the VTG as an indicator of exposure to EDCs. We propose to then develop a VTG detection device similar to pregnancy test or COVID test that can be used by schools, park rangers and nature centers. The cost-analysis and the economic impact of the development of such device on the New York State and Northern New York are discussed.
