Applications of genomic technologies to the study of organochlorine pesticide-induced reproductive toxicity in fish

Microarrays and real time PCR are two molecular methods that are gaining acceptance for ecotoxicology. They will help sort out the complex biochemical pathways that are targeted by exposure of organisms to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and other toxicants and may point to the ways that these compounds affect development; reproduction and susceptibility to disease. OCPs are a large group of structurally diverse compounds that are present around the globe and are known to be highly persistent pollutants, for which mechanistic toxicity information is lacking. Genomic technologies such as these will help identify and monitor toxicity and help develop subsequent environmental policies. (c) Pesticide Science Society of Japan.