OREANDA-NEWS. Cyprotex PLC (AIM:CRX), a specialist Contract Research Organisation (CRO), announced today the launch of a new endocrine disruption service to evaluate androgen receptor modulation. 

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals which can interfere with the hormonal systems within the body. These chemicals can potentially lead to adverse effects on the developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune systems, and there are reports that the increased incidence in cancers, diabetes, obesity and reduced fertility over the last 50 years may be attributed to endocrine disruption. Specifically, chemicals which disrupt the androgen receptor can lead to reduced sperm count, infertility, prostate cancer and interference with normal male reproductive development. 

The mechanism by which the androgen receptor is activated is by binding of a chemical or hormone in the cytoplasm of the cell resulting in translocation (movement) of the receptor into the nucleus of the cell. The new androgen receptor modulation assay offered by Cyprotex uses sophisticated high content imaging techniques to monitor this translocation process through fluorescently tagged proteins. The method has the advantage that both activation (agonist effects) and inhibition (antagonist effects) of the androgen receptor can be distinguished between.

Dr Anthony Baxter, Cyprotex's Chief Executive Officer, comments: "Within the agrochemical and industrial chemical industries, endocrine disruptors are of considerable concern due to their potential adverse effects on the environment and the general population. Bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA and REACH within Europe play an important role in regulating chemicals and ensuring risk from endocrine disruptors is minimised through effective testing strategies. Cyprotex are recognised experts in this field and already have a comprehensive range of screening and regulatory test methods available. Introducing the new androgen receptor modulation assay complements these existing services, and provides an in-depth analysis of cellular processes involved in endocrine disruption."