By Ashlynn Peszko

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dianne Baker

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of environmental pollutants of which many have been deemed endocrine disruptors. However, less is known about the long-chain variants in this family, in particular the chemical perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA). Based on previous PFAS research, I hypothesize that PFUnDA exposure will disrupt the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). To test this hypothesis, zebrafish will be exposed to PFUnDA until 5 days post fertilization and relative transcript levels of six genes involved in thyroid hormone synthesis, signaling, and metabolism will be compared among treatments.