Integrative and comparative reproductive biology: From alligators to xenobiotics

Abstract

Dr. Louis J. Guillette Jr. thought of himself as a reproductive biologist. However, his interest in reproductive biology transcended organ systems, life history stages, species, and environmental contexts. His integrative and collaborative nature led to diverse and fascinating research projects conducted all over the world. He doesn’t leave us with a single legacy. Instead, he entrusts us with several. The purpose of this review is to highlight those legacies, in both breadth and diversity, and to illustrate Dr. Guillette’s grand contributions to the field of reproductive biology. He has challenged the field to reconsider how we think about our data, championed development of novel and innovative techniques to measure endocrine function, helped define the field of endocrine disruption, and lead projects to characterize new endocrine disrupting chemicals. He significantly influenced our understanding of evolution, and took bold and important steps to translate all that he has learned into advances in human reproductive health. We hope that after reading this manuscript our audience will appreciate and continue Dr. Guillette’s practice of open-minded and passionate collaboration to understand the basic mechanisms driving reproductive physiology and to ultimately apply those findings to protect and improve wildlife and human health.

Oil Spills and Human Health: Contributions of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

“…A cross-sectional, in-person study conducted in three CRGC-partnered communities was used as a case study for this critical reflection. McCoy et al (2016) authored a tribute to and a review of the scientific legacy of the late Dr. Louis J. Guillette Jr. and his work as a reproductive biologist. After eight interviews with CHWs who were involved with the study, Lesen et al (2019) recommended that (1) disaster resilience studies should involve the community as much as possible, as those communities often see the research as valuable; (2) during the development phase, researchers should consult with community partners to avoid cultural conflict and obtain feedback on recruitment and research methodologies; (3) cultural norms and communication methods should be incorporated into researcher-participant interactions; (4) community partners should be consulted when deciding how to disseminate results to the community; and (5) incorporating critical reflection and considerations of power dynamics in communities that have disaster history can empower community members and researchers by promoting ethically and socially just resilience research (Lesen et al, 2019).…”

“…After eight interviews with CHWs who were involved with the study, Lesen et al (2019) recommended that (1) disaster resilience studies should involve the community as much as possible, as those communities often see the research as valuable; (2) during the development phase, researchers should consult with community partners to avoid cultural conflict and obtain feedback on recruitment and research methodologies; (3) cultural norms and communication methods should be incorporated into researcher-participant interactions; (4) community partners should be consulted when deciding how to disseminate results to the community; and (5) incorporating critical reflection and considerations of power dynamics in communities that have disaster history can empower community members and researchers by promoting ethically and socially just resilience research (Lesen et al, 2019). McCoy et al (2016) authored a tribute to and a review of the scientific legacy of the late Dr. Louis J. Guillette Jr. and his work as a reproductive biologist. Dr. Guillette was an internationally recognized leader in comparative reproductive biology and impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals to both animals and humans, with prominent works including temperature-dependent sex determination of reptiles.…”

Giant toads (Rhinella marina) living in agricultural areas have altered spermatogenesis

“…Each of these manifestations of testicular dysgenesis syndrome have been linked to exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) (Bay et al, 2006). Copious studies across taxa have found a diversity of reproductive effects induced by EDC exposure (Edwards et al, 2006; Lambert et al, 2015; McCoy et al, 2016; Skelly et al, 2010; Yeung et al, 2011).…”

Can Xenobiotics Alter the Sex Ratio of Crocodilians in the Wild?

“…Late Dr. Louis J. Guillette Jr. initiated investigations into xenobiotic effects on crocodilian species in the early 1990s [McCoy et al, 2016] in response to reports that juvenile populations of Alligator mississippiensis had declined in Lake Apopka (FL, USA) in the 1980s [Woodward et al, 1993]. The population decline in Lake Apopka was negatively associated with pesticide contamination, such as dicofol, containing 15% DDT and its metabolites, DDE [Clark, 1990].…”