Oliver Putz | Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (original) (raw)
Papers Theology by Oliver Putz
Zygon®, Jan 1, 2009
Recent advances in evolutionary biology and ethology suggest that humans are not the only species... more Recent advances in evolutionary biology and ethology
suggest that humans are not the only species capable of empathy and possibly morality. These findings are of no little consequence for theology, given that a nonhuman animal as a free moral agent would beg the question if human beings are indeed uniquely created in God’s image. I argue that apes and some other mammals have moral agency and that a traditional interpretation of the imago Dei is incorrectly equating specialness with exclusivity. By framing the problem in terms
of metaphor, following the work of Paul Ricoeur and Sallie McFague, I propose that the concept of the imago Dei could be extended to accommodate moral species other than our own.
The present study asks the question whether Karl Rahner’s treatment of biological evolution holds... more The present study asks the question whether Karl Rahner’s treatment of biological evolution holds merit for the dialogue between Catholic theology on the one hand and evolutionary biology on the other. Central to this evaluation will be an emphasis on two core tenets of modern evolutionary biology, namely emergence and the continuity of the evolutionary process. While the former bears relevance for our understanding of how life and anthropologically important phenomena such as “mind” and “consciousness” came to be, the latter plays a crucial role in how we view our existence within the earth’s fluid and changing biosphere. It comes to the conclusion that Rahner’s concept of active self-transcendence recovers the notion of biological evolution as an on-going process where indeed something new emerges, and therefore offers an extremely helpful tool in the interdisciplinary conversation. However, this essay challenges Rahner’s understanding of the directedness of the evolutionary process toward the human being as well as his view that in us nature comes to self-consciousness for the first time and suggests alternatives.
Theology and Science, Jan 1, 2009
Suffering is an inevitable corollary of evolution and as such exacerbates the problem of evil in ... more Suffering is an inevitable corollary of evolution and as such exacerbates the problem of evil in a world created by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God. Recent responses to this dilemma often emphasize cosmic creativity as an end that justifies the means. The present paper will review one example of such creativity defenses (Francisco Ayala’s) and attempt an alternative theodic approach that seeks to incorporate creativity as a means rather than an end. For that, it will propose a radical turn to love, where suffering is seen as a necessary condition for the possibility of the full actualization of love.
With their participation in the Second Vatican Council, two German theologians have been instrume... more With their participation in the Second Vatican Council, two German theologians have been instrumental in shaping modern Catholicism like few others, namely Karl Rahner and Joseph Ratzinger. Both were collaborators on a wide array of issues in theology and ecclesiology, but their ways were to part after the Council, and according to many observers, one of them, Ratzinger, was to undergo a significant and absolute change of heart. This change of direction does not cease to puzzle Catholics today, which makes it worthwhile to take a closer look at it. If indeed, Ratzinger not so much abandoned as developed further his already existing views, it would be of considerable importance for how we can think of the reception of the Council and its final documents. If, however, Ratzinger did change completely, the question could be what caused this change and how does the conversion affect the Church. By comparing the development of both theologians before, during, and after the Council, the present study wants to hypothesize that Ratzinger did not change as much as became more rigid in his already existing neo-Augustinian ideas, while Rahner probably underwent a far greater change following the Council.
Theology and Science, Jan 1, 2006
Brief review of a study on estrogen receptor evolution that unhinges the notion of "irreducible c... more Brief review of a study on estrogen receptor evolution that unhinges the notion of "irreducible complexity" argued for by proponents of "intelligent design."
Book Chapters Theology by Oliver Putz
This chapter takes a closer look at Karl Rahner’s response to limit questions raised by biology. ... more This chapter takes a closer look at Karl Rahner’s response to limit questions raised by biology. It also submits a constructive proposal for a cosmic theodicy in response to evolutionary suffering. More often than not, Catholics who engage evolutionary biology do so by turning to Jesuit and paleoanthropologist Teilhard de Chardin. No one can dismiss Teilhard’s fundamental contribution to either the Church or theology and science in general. Nevertheless, Rahner’s approach to integrating creation theology and evolutionary biology is metaphysically and methodologically more robust, which is why it will be the focus of this essay. In particular, it will concentrate on his treatment of biological anthropology, mainly because few other topics in the dialogue between theology and biology have had such profound implications for believers and unbelievers alike. For theological anthropology, human existence is grounded in the unique personal relationship with God, which constitutes “humanness” and gives it meaning. With human evolution as its central theme, biological anthropology specifies humanity’s relationship to the rest of nature, thereby challenging long-held ideas of human uniqueness. How to respond to limit questions prompted by biological anthropology in light of theological anthropology is doubtlessly one of the most challenging and pressing issues in religion and science today.
Papers Science by Oliver Putz
Developmental psychobiology, Jan 1, 2006
Individual differences in the adult sexual behavior of vertebrates are rooted in the fetal enviro... more Individual differences in the adult sexual behavior of vertebrates are rooted in the fetal environment. In the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), a species with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), hatchling sex ratios differ between incubation temperatures, as does sexuality in same-sex animals. This variation can primarily be ascribed to the temperature having direct organizing actions on the brain. Here we demonstrate that embryonic temperature can affect adult mate choice in the leopard gecko. Given the simultaneous choice between two females from different incubation temperatures (30.0 and 34.0C), males from one incubation temperature (30.0C) preferred the female from 34.0C, while males from another incubation temperature (32.5C) preferred the female from 30.0C.We suggest that this difference in mate choice is due to an environmental influence on brain development leading to differential perception of opposite-sex individuals. This previously unrecognized modulator of adult mate choice lends further support to the view that mate choice is best understood in the context of an individual’s entire life-history. Thus, sexual selection results from a combination of the female’s as well as the male’s life history. Female attractiveness and male choice therefore are complementary.
Proceedings of the Fifth …, Jan 1, 1995
Pure and applied …, Jan 1, 2003
This paper will review briefly the use of wildlife as models in the study of how mixtures, low do... more This paper will review briefly the use of wildlife as models in the study of how mixtures, low doses, and the embryonic environment modulate the action of endocrine active substances (EASs). In so doing, it will show how the issue of low dosages must be considered within the context of mixtures present in the environment and the endocrine background of the exposed individual.That is, in nature, EASs usually are found in mixtures in which the constituent parts are in concentrations well below their NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) as determined in single compound studies in the laboratory.In addition, exposure always occurs on organisms in various endocrine states. Thus, the issue of mixtures and dosages must always be considered within the context of the endocrine background. Finally, the effects of exposure are passed down through the generations. The question of exposure then at the level of the individual becomes very complicated, as it must take into account that at every life stage, the naturally occurring endocrine milieu of the organism (or tissue), any EAS burden inherited from the mother or built up over the individual’s life, and the social environment in which the individual develops and interacts as an adult, will influence the response to acute exposure.
Hormones and behavior, Jan 1, 2005
The copulatory neuromuscular system of lizards is highly sexually dimorphic. Adult males possess ... more The copulatory neuromuscular system of lizards is highly sexually dimorphic. Adult males possess bilateral penises called hemipenes, which are independently controlled by two muscles, the retractor penis magnus (RPM) and transversus penis (TPN). These structures are not obvious in adult females. However, in adult female leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius), testosterone induces hemipene growth. We investigated whether these structures develop de novo in adulthood or are histologically present as rudimentary structures in the female leopard gecko. We also investigated the extent of sexual dimorphisms and plasticity in the associated neuromuscular components. To do this, we compared copulatory morphology (sizes of hemipenes, RPM and TPN muscle fibers, and associated motoneurons, as well as motoneuron and RPM fiber number) in adult females treated with testosterone, control females, and control males. All of the geckos possessed hemipenes, RPMs and TPNs, but these structures were indeed vestigial in control females. Testosterone induced striking increases in hemipene and copulatory muscle fiber size in females, but not to levels equivalent to control males. In parallel, males with increased levels of androgenic activity had larger hemipenes, suggesting naturally occurring steroid-induced plasticity. Copulatory motoneurons were not sexually dimorphic in size or number, and these measures did not respond to testosterone. The data demonstrate that the copulatory system of leopard geckos, in which gonadal sex is determined by egg incubation temperature, differs from that of many species (both reptilian and mammalian) with genotypic sex determination. Indeed, the system is remarkable in that adult females have normally occurring intersex characteristics and they exhibit substantial steroid-induced morphological plasticity in adulthood.
Differentiation, Jan 1, 2008
Prostate gland development is a complex process that involves coordination of multiple signaling ... more Prostate gland development is a complex process that involves coordination of multiple signaling pathways including endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, juxtacrine and transcription factors. To put this into proper context, the present manuscript will begin with a brief overview of the stages of prostate development and a summary of androgenic signaling in the developing prostate, which is essential for prostate formation. This will be followed by a detailed description of other transcription factors and secreted morphogens directly involved in prostate formation and branching morphogenesis. Except where otherwise indicated, results from rodent models will be presented since studies that examine molecular signaling in the developing human prostate gland are sparse at the present time.
Endocrinology, Jan 1, 2003
Estrogen exposure in the neonatal rat has been shown to disrupt the normal morphology and develop... more Estrogen exposure in the neonatal rat has been shown to disrupt the normal morphology and development of the prostate gland. The response to this exposure is manifest in adulthood as epithelial dysplasia and chronic inflammation. This inflammatory response consists of infiltrating T-lymphocytes and macrophages, which is typically observed in chronic prostatitis in both rodents and humans. In our rat model, the developmental hormonal milieu is altered following estrogenization, resulting in transient hyperprolactinemia, which begins prepubertally (postnatal d 21) and persists throughout puberty. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the role of prolactin (PRL) in the altered phenotype of the adult rat prostate exposed to neonatal estrogen. Male Sprague Dawley rat pups (n 104) were randomized at birth to receive oil or estradiol benzoate on postnatal d 1, 3, and 5. They were further randomized to receive bromocriptine (BrC) pellets or placebo at d 15. Animals were killed at d 90. Serum PRL and testosterone levels, prostate lobe, and hormone-dependent and immune-related tissue weights and histology were examined. Animals receiving BrC had significantly lower PRL levels at d 90, regardless of estrogen status. Prostate lobe and testicular weights were significantly reduced in estrogenized animals vs. controls, and BrC did not abate this response, indicating that growth inhibition is not mediated through hyperprolactinemia. Splenic and thymus weights were greater in estrogenized animals, and this was partially reversed with BrC. Neonatal estrogen exposure resulted in a marked infiltration of CD4 and CD8a lymphocytes in the prostate gland, and this was partially reversed by concomitant BrC treatment. In contrast, the estrogen-induced macrophage infiltration of the prostate was not affected by PRL suppression. These findings indicate that prostatic inflammation and immune cell infiltration in the prostate gland of neonatally estrogenized rats is mediated through a PRL-dependent as well as a PRL-independent mechanism. As prostatic inflammation or prostatitis in humans is associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma, this animal model may provide mechanistic insight with regards to age-associated prostatic lesions.
Reproduction, Fertility and …
Brief exposure of rodents to estrogens during early development alters prostate branching morphog... more Brief exposure of rodents to estrogens during early development alters prostate branching morphogenesis and cellular differentiation in a dose-dependant manner. If estrogenic exposures are high, these disturbances lead to permanent imprints of the prostate, which include reduced growth, differentiation defects of the epithelial cells, altered secretory function and reduced responsiveness to androgens in adulthood. This process, referred to as neonatal imprinting or developmental estrogenization, is associated with an increased incidence of prostatic lesions with aging, which include hyperplasia, inflammation and dysplasia. To better understand how early estrogenic exposures can permanently alter prostate growth and function and predispose the gland to neoplasia, the effects of estrogens on prostatic steroid receptors, cell–cell communication molecules and key developmental genes were examined. Transient and permanent alterations in the expression of prostatic androgen receptors, estrogen receptors α (ERα) and β, and retinoic acid receptors are observed. It is proposed that the estrogen-induced alterations in these critical transcription factors play a fundamental role in initiating prostatic growth and differentiation defects. Down-stream effects of the altered steroid receptor expression include disruption of TGFβ paracrine communication, altered expression of gap junction connexin molecules and loss of epithelial cadherin on epithelial cells. Additionally, specific disruptions in the expression of prostatic developmental genes are observed in response to neonatal estrogen. An extended developmental period of hoxa-13 expression, a lack of hoxd-13 increase with maturation, and an immediate and sustained suppression of hoxb-13 was noted within prostatic tissue. A transient decrease inNkx3.1 expression in the developing prostate was also observed. Thus subtle and overt alterations in Hox-13 and Nkx3.1 genes may be involved in the altered prostate phenotype in response to neonatal estrogen exposure. In summary, estrogen imprinting of the prostate gland is mediated through up-regulated levels of stromal ERα, which initiates alterations in steroid receptor expression within the developing gland. Rather than being an androgen-dominated process, as occurs normally, prostatic development is regulated by alternate steroids, including estrogens and retinoids, in the estrogenized animal. This, in turn, leads to disruptions in the coordinated expression of critical developmental genes including TGFβ, Hox-13 genes and Nkx3.1. Since a precise temporal expression pattern of these and other molecules is normally required for appropriate differentiation of the prostatic epithelium and stroma, the estrogen-initiated disruption in this pattern would lead to permanent differentiation defects of the prostate gland. It is hypothesized that these molecular and cellular changes initiated early in life predispose the prostate to the neoplastic state upon aging.
Biology of …, Jan 1, 2001
Brief exposure of rats to high doses of natural estrogens early in life results in permanent alte... more Brief exposure of rats to high doses of natural estrogens early in life results in permanent alterations of the prostate gland, which include differentiation defects, altered gene expression, and dysplasia with aging. Whether low-dose treatments can cause similar effects in the developing prostate remains controversial. The current project was designed to determine the doseresponse relationship of the prostate gland to estradiol exposure during the developmentally critical neonatal period in the rat. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated on Days 1, 3, and 5 of life by s.c. injections of a 7-log range of doses (0.015 mg/kg to 15.0 mg/kg) of b-estradiol-3-benzoate (EB) in 25 ml of peanut oil (Arachis) as vehicle. In a separate block, neonatal Fisher 344 (F344) rats received 0.15, 15.0, or 1500.0 mg EB/kg. Rats were killed on Postnatal Day (PND) 35 or 90, and the prostates were microdissected, weighed, and frozen for immunohistochemistry. Preputial separation and hepatic testosterone hydroxlase activities were monitored and measured to determine the onset of puberty. On PND 35, there was an increase in prostate weights of SD rats treated with low doses of EB and a decrease in prostate weights of SD rats treated with high doses. The low-dose effect was entirely abolished by PND 90, and only high-dose suppression of organ sizes was found. The transient nature of the effect in low-dose animals suggests an advancement of puberty as the cause for increased reproductive organ weights on PND 35. F344 rats were more sensitive than SD rats to the suppressive effects of high doses of neonatal EB on PND 90. Despite this heightened responsiveness in the F344 rats, a low-dose estrogenic effect on adult prostate weights was not observed. Thus, in the rat model a sustained effect at low doses of natural estrogens is not present in the prostate glands.
Biology of …, Jan 1, 2001
Environmental contaminants with estrogenic properties have been cause for heightened concern abou... more Environmental contaminants with estrogenic properties have been cause for heightened concern about their possible role in inducing adverse health effects. Brief exposure of rodents to high doses of natural estrogens early in life results in permanent alterations of the male reproductive tissues, but the question of whether environmentally relevant doses can cause the same effects remains controversial. The current project was designed to determine the dose-response relationship between neonatal estradiol exposure and the development of the male reproductive tract in the rat. Neonatal male Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Fisher 344 (F344) rats were exposed to b-estradiol-3-benzoate (EB) at concentrations ranging from 0.015 mg/kg body weight (BW) to 15.0 mg/kg BW and 0.15 mg/kg BW to 1.5 mg/kg BW, respectively. Results showed an inverted U-shaped dose-response profile for testis and epididymis weights in 35-day-old SD rats, with increased organ sizes at the low-dose end of the treatment. This effect was transient and was not sustained into adulthood. Increased hepatic testosterone hydroxylase activities in low-dose animals suggest an advancement of puberty as the cause for increased reproductive organ weights. On postnatal day (PND) 90, a stimulatory low-dose response to EB was present in SD rat testicular and epididymal weights, however at one order of magnitude lower dose than that seen on PND 35, suggesting a separate effect. All SD male reproductive tract organs and serum hormones showed a permanent inhibitory response to high doses of neonatal EB. F344 rats exhibited greater estrogen sensitivity on PND 90. Despite this heightened responsiveness, F344 rats did not exhibit a low-dose effect for any endpoint. These low-dose responses to estradiol are organ and strain specific.
Book Chapters Science by Oliver Putz
Zygon®, Jan 1, 2009
Recent advances in evolutionary biology and ethology suggest that humans are not the only species... more Recent advances in evolutionary biology and ethology
suggest that humans are not the only species capable of empathy and possibly morality. These findings are of no little consequence for theology, given that a nonhuman animal as a free moral agent would beg the question if human beings are indeed uniquely created in God’s image. I argue that apes and some other mammals have moral agency and that a traditional interpretation of the imago Dei is incorrectly equating specialness with exclusivity. By framing the problem in terms
of metaphor, following the work of Paul Ricoeur and Sallie McFague, I propose that the concept of the imago Dei could be extended to accommodate moral species other than our own.
The present study asks the question whether Karl Rahner’s treatment of biological evolution holds... more The present study asks the question whether Karl Rahner’s treatment of biological evolution holds merit for the dialogue between Catholic theology on the one hand and evolutionary biology on the other. Central to this evaluation will be an emphasis on two core tenets of modern evolutionary biology, namely emergence and the continuity of the evolutionary process. While the former bears relevance for our understanding of how life and anthropologically important phenomena such as “mind” and “consciousness” came to be, the latter plays a crucial role in how we view our existence within the earth’s fluid and changing biosphere. It comes to the conclusion that Rahner’s concept of active self-transcendence recovers the notion of biological evolution as an on-going process where indeed something new emerges, and therefore offers an extremely helpful tool in the interdisciplinary conversation. However, this essay challenges Rahner’s understanding of the directedness of the evolutionary process toward the human being as well as his view that in us nature comes to self-consciousness for the first time and suggests alternatives.
Theology and Science, Jan 1, 2009
Suffering is an inevitable corollary of evolution and as such exacerbates the problem of evil in ... more Suffering is an inevitable corollary of evolution and as such exacerbates the problem of evil in a world created by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God. Recent responses to this dilemma often emphasize cosmic creativity as an end that justifies the means. The present paper will review one example of such creativity defenses (Francisco Ayala’s) and attempt an alternative theodic approach that seeks to incorporate creativity as a means rather than an end. For that, it will propose a radical turn to love, where suffering is seen as a necessary condition for the possibility of the full actualization of love.
With their participation in the Second Vatican Council, two German theologians have been instrume... more With their participation in the Second Vatican Council, two German theologians have been instrumental in shaping modern Catholicism like few others, namely Karl Rahner and Joseph Ratzinger. Both were collaborators on a wide array of issues in theology and ecclesiology, but their ways were to part after the Council, and according to many observers, one of them, Ratzinger, was to undergo a significant and absolute change of heart. This change of direction does not cease to puzzle Catholics today, which makes it worthwhile to take a closer look at it. If indeed, Ratzinger not so much abandoned as developed further his already existing views, it would be of considerable importance for how we can think of the reception of the Council and its final documents. If, however, Ratzinger did change completely, the question could be what caused this change and how does the conversion affect the Church. By comparing the development of both theologians before, during, and after the Council, the present study wants to hypothesize that Ratzinger did not change as much as became more rigid in his already existing neo-Augustinian ideas, while Rahner probably underwent a far greater change following the Council.
Theology and Science, Jan 1, 2006
Brief review of a study on estrogen receptor evolution that unhinges the notion of "irreducible c... more Brief review of a study on estrogen receptor evolution that unhinges the notion of "irreducible complexity" argued for by proponents of "intelligent design."
This chapter takes a closer look at Karl Rahner’s response to limit questions raised by biology. ... more This chapter takes a closer look at Karl Rahner’s response to limit questions raised by biology. It also submits a constructive proposal for a cosmic theodicy in response to evolutionary suffering. More often than not, Catholics who engage evolutionary biology do so by turning to Jesuit and paleoanthropologist Teilhard de Chardin. No one can dismiss Teilhard’s fundamental contribution to either the Church or theology and science in general. Nevertheless, Rahner’s approach to integrating creation theology and evolutionary biology is metaphysically and methodologically more robust, which is why it will be the focus of this essay. In particular, it will concentrate on his treatment of biological anthropology, mainly because few other topics in the dialogue between theology and biology have had such profound implications for believers and unbelievers alike. For theological anthropology, human existence is grounded in the unique personal relationship with God, which constitutes “humanness” and gives it meaning. With human evolution as its central theme, biological anthropology specifies humanity’s relationship to the rest of nature, thereby challenging long-held ideas of human uniqueness. How to respond to limit questions prompted by biological anthropology in light of theological anthropology is doubtlessly one of the most challenging and pressing issues in religion and science today.
Developmental psychobiology, Jan 1, 2006
Individual differences in the adult sexual behavior of vertebrates are rooted in the fetal enviro... more Individual differences in the adult sexual behavior of vertebrates are rooted in the fetal environment. In the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), a species with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), hatchling sex ratios differ between incubation temperatures, as does sexuality in same-sex animals. This variation can primarily be ascribed to the temperature having direct organizing actions on the brain. Here we demonstrate that embryonic temperature can affect adult mate choice in the leopard gecko. Given the simultaneous choice between two females from different incubation temperatures (30.0 and 34.0C), males from one incubation temperature (30.0C) preferred the female from 34.0C, while males from another incubation temperature (32.5C) preferred the female from 30.0C.We suggest that this difference in mate choice is due to an environmental influence on brain development leading to differential perception of opposite-sex individuals. This previously unrecognized modulator of adult mate choice lends further support to the view that mate choice is best understood in the context of an individual’s entire life-history. Thus, sexual selection results from a combination of the female’s as well as the male’s life history. Female attractiveness and male choice therefore are complementary.
Proceedings of the Fifth …, Jan 1, 1995
Pure and applied …, Jan 1, 2003
This paper will review briefly the use of wildlife as models in the study of how mixtures, low do... more This paper will review briefly the use of wildlife as models in the study of how mixtures, low doses, and the embryonic environment modulate the action of endocrine active substances (EASs). In so doing, it will show how the issue of low dosages must be considered within the context of mixtures present in the environment and the endocrine background of the exposed individual.That is, in nature, EASs usually are found in mixtures in which the constituent parts are in concentrations well below their NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) as determined in single compound studies in the laboratory.In addition, exposure always occurs on organisms in various endocrine states. Thus, the issue of mixtures and dosages must always be considered within the context of the endocrine background. Finally, the effects of exposure are passed down through the generations. The question of exposure then at the level of the individual becomes very complicated, as it must take into account that at every life stage, the naturally occurring endocrine milieu of the organism (or tissue), any EAS burden inherited from the mother or built up over the individual’s life, and the social environment in which the individual develops and interacts as an adult, will influence the response to acute exposure.
Hormones and behavior, Jan 1, 2005
The copulatory neuromuscular system of lizards is highly sexually dimorphic. Adult males possess ... more The copulatory neuromuscular system of lizards is highly sexually dimorphic. Adult males possess bilateral penises called hemipenes, which are independently controlled by two muscles, the retractor penis magnus (RPM) and transversus penis (TPN). These structures are not obvious in adult females. However, in adult female leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius), testosterone induces hemipene growth. We investigated whether these structures develop de novo in adulthood or are histologically present as rudimentary structures in the female leopard gecko. We also investigated the extent of sexual dimorphisms and plasticity in the associated neuromuscular components. To do this, we compared copulatory morphology (sizes of hemipenes, RPM and TPN muscle fibers, and associated motoneurons, as well as motoneuron and RPM fiber number) in adult females treated with testosterone, control females, and control males. All of the geckos possessed hemipenes, RPMs and TPNs, but these structures were indeed vestigial in control females. Testosterone induced striking increases in hemipene and copulatory muscle fiber size in females, but not to levels equivalent to control males. In parallel, males with increased levels of androgenic activity had larger hemipenes, suggesting naturally occurring steroid-induced plasticity. Copulatory motoneurons were not sexually dimorphic in size or number, and these measures did not respond to testosterone. The data demonstrate that the copulatory system of leopard geckos, in which gonadal sex is determined by egg incubation temperature, differs from that of many species (both reptilian and mammalian) with genotypic sex determination. Indeed, the system is remarkable in that adult females have normally occurring intersex characteristics and they exhibit substantial steroid-induced morphological plasticity in adulthood.
Differentiation, Jan 1, 2008
Prostate gland development is a complex process that involves coordination of multiple signaling ... more Prostate gland development is a complex process that involves coordination of multiple signaling pathways including endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, juxtacrine and transcription factors. To put this into proper context, the present manuscript will begin with a brief overview of the stages of prostate development and a summary of androgenic signaling in the developing prostate, which is essential for prostate formation. This will be followed by a detailed description of other transcription factors and secreted morphogens directly involved in prostate formation and branching morphogenesis. Except where otherwise indicated, results from rodent models will be presented since studies that examine molecular signaling in the developing human prostate gland are sparse at the present time.
Endocrinology, Jan 1, 2003
Estrogen exposure in the neonatal rat has been shown to disrupt the normal morphology and develop... more Estrogen exposure in the neonatal rat has been shown to disrupt the normal morphology and development of the prostate gland. The response to this exposure is manifest in adulthood as epithelial dysplasia and chronic inflammation. This inflammatory response consists of infiltrating T-lymphocytes and macrophages, which is typically observed in chronic prostatitis in both rodents and humans. In our rat model, the developmental hormonal milieu is altered following estrogenization, resulting in transient hyperprolactinemia, which begins prepubertally (postnatal d 21) and persists throughout puberty. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the role of prolactin (PRL) in the altered phenotype of the adult rat prostate exposed to neonatal estrogen. Male Sprague Dawley rat pups (n 104) were randomized at birth to receive oil or estradiol benzoate on postnatal d 1, 3, and 5. They were further randomized to receive bromocriptine (BrC) pellets or placebo at d 15. Animals were killed at d 90. Serum PRL and testosterone levels, prostate lobe, and hormone-dependent and immune-related tissue weights and histology were examined. Animals receiving BrC had significantly lower PRL levels at d 90, regardless of estrogen status. Prostate lobe and testicular weights were significantly reduced in estrogenized animals vs. controls, and BrC did not abate this response, indicating that growth inhibition is not mediated through hyperprolactinemia. Splenic and thymus weights were greater in estrogenized animals, and this was partially reversed with BrC. Neonatal estrogen exposure resulted in a marked infiltration of CD4 and CD8a lymphocytes in the prostate gland, and this was partially reversed by concomitant BrC treatment. In contrast, the estrogen-induced macrophage infiltration of the prostate was not affected by PRL suppression. These findings indicate that prostatic inflammation and immune cell infiltration in the prostate gland of neonatally estrogenized rats is mediated through a PRL-dependent as well as a PRL-independent mechanism. As prostatic inflammation or prostatitis in humans is associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma, this animal model may provide mechanistic insight with regards to age-associated prostatic lesions.
Reproduction, Fertility and …
Brief exposure of rodents to estrogens during early development alters prostate branching morphog... more Brief exposure of rodents to estrogens during early development alters prostate branching morphogenesis and cellular differentiation in a dose-dependant manner. If estrogenic exposures are high, these disturbances lead to permanent imprints of the prostate, which include reduced growth, differentiation defects of the epithelial cells, altered secretory function and reduced responsiveness to androgens in adulthood. This process, referred to as neonatal imprinting or developmental estrogenization, is associated with an increased incidence of prostatic lesions with aging, which include hyperplasia, inflammation and dysplasia. To better understand how early estrogenic exposures can permanently alter prostate growth and function and predispose the gland to neoplasia, the effects of estrogens on prostatic steroid receptors, cell–cell communication molecules and key developmental genes were examined. Transient and permanent alterations in the expression of prostatic androgen receptors, estrogen receptors α (ERα) and β, and retinoic acid receptors are observed. It is proposed that the estrogen-induced alterations in these critical transcription factors play a fundamental role in initiating prostatic growth and differentiation defects. Down-stream effects of the altered steroid receptor expression include disruption of TGFβ paracrine communication, altered expression of gap junction connexin molecules and loss of epithelial cadherin on epithelial cells. Additionally, specific disruptions in the expression of prostatic developmental genes are observed in response to neonatal estrogen. An extended developmental period of hoxa-13 expression, a lack of hoxd-13 increase with maturation, and an immediate and sustained suppression of hoxb-13 was noted within prostatic tissue. A transient decrease inNkx3.1 expression in the developing prostate was also observed. Thus subtle and overt alterations in Hox-13 and Nkx3.1 genes may be involved in the altered prostate phenotype in response to neonatal estrogen exposure. In summary, estrogen imprinting of the prostate gland is mediated through up-regulated levels of stromal ERα, which initiates alterations in steroid receptor expression within the developing gland. Rather than being an androgen-dominated process, as occurs normally, prostatic development is regulated by alternate steroids, including estrogens and retinoids, in the estrogenized animal. This, in turn, leads to disruptions in the coordinated expression of critical developmental genes including TGFβ, Hox-13 genes and Nkx3.1. Since a precise temporal expression pattern of these and other molecules is normally required for appropriate differentiation of the prostatic epithelium and stroma, the estrogen-initiated disruption in this pattern would lead to permanent differentiation defects of the prostate gland. It is hypothesized that these molecular and cellular changes initiated early in life predispose the prostate to the neoplastic state upon aging.
Biology of …, Jan 1, 2001
Brief exposure of rats to high doses of natural estrogens early in life results in permanent alte... more Brief exposure of rats to high doses of natural estrogens early in life results in permanent alterations of the prostate gland, which include differentiation defects, altered gene expression, and dysplasia with aging. Whether low-dose treatments can cause similar effects in the developing prostate remains controversial. The current project was designed to determine the doseresponse relationship of the prostate gland to estradiol exposure during the developmentally critical neonatal period in the rat. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated on Days 1, 3, and 5 of life by s.c. injections of a 7-log range of doses (0.015 mg/kg to 15.0 mg/kg) of b-estradiol-3-benzoate (EB) in 25 ml of peanut oil (Arachis) as vehicle. In a separate block, neonatal Fisher 344 (F344) rats received 0.15, 15.0, or 1500.0 mg EB/kg. Rats were killed on Postnatal Day (PND) 35 or 90, and the prostates were microdissected, weighed, and frozen for immunohistochemistry. Preputial separation and hepatic testosterone hydroxlase activities were monitored and measured to determine the onset of puberty. On PND 35, there was an increase in prostate weights of SD rats treated with low doses of EB and a decrease in prostate weights of SD rats treated with high doses. The low-dose effect was entirely abolished by PND 90, and only high-dose suppression of organ sizes was found. The transient nature of the effect in low-dose animals suggests an advancement of puberty as the cause for increased reproductive organ weights on PND 35. F344 rats were more sensitive than SD rats to the suppressive effects of high doses of neonatal EB on PND 90. Despite this heightened responsiveness in the F344 rats, a low-dose estrogenic effect on adult prostate weights was not observed. Thus, in the rat model a sustained effect at low doses of natural estrogens is not present in the prostate glands.
Biology of …, Jan 1, 2001
Environmental contaminants with estrogenic properties have been cause for heightened concern abou... more Environmental contaminants with estrogenic properties have been cause for heightened concern about their possible role in inducing adverse health effects. Brief exposure of rodents to high doses of natural estrogens early in life results in permanent alterations of the male reproductive tissues, but the question of whether environmentally relevant doses can cause the same effects remains controversial. The current project was designed to determine the dose-response relationship between neonatal estradiol exposure and the development of the male reproductive tract in the rat. Neonatal male Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Fisher 344 (F344) rats were exposed to b-estradiol-3-benzoate (EB) at concentrations ranging from 0.015 mg/kg body weight (BW) to 15.0 mg/kg BW and 0.15 mg/kg BW to 1.5 mg/kg BW, respectively. Results showed an inverted U-shaped dose-response profile for testis and epididymis weights in 35-day-old SD rats, with increased organ sizes at the low-dose end of the treatment. This effect was transient and was not sustained into adulthood. Increased hepatic testosterone hydroxylase activities in low-dose animals suggest an advancement of puberty as the cause for increased reproductive organ weights. On postnatal day (PND) 90, a stimulatory low-dose response to EB was present in SD rat testicular and epididymal weights, however at one order of magnitude lower dose than that seen on PND 35, suggesting a separate effect. All SD male reproductive tract organs and serum hormones showed a permanent inhibitory response to high doses of neonatal EB. F344 rats exhibited greater estrogen sensitivity on PND 90. Despite this heightened responsiveness, F344 rats did not exhibit a low-dose effect for any endpoint. These low-dose responses to estradiol are organ and strain specific.
Theology and Science, Jan 1, 2009
Review of Ulrich Lüke's book on theological anthropology in conversation with biological anthropo... more Review of Ulrich Lüke's book on theological anthropology in conversation with biological anthropology.
While Coleridge may have very well been right as far as art critics are concerned, I think it fai... more While Coleridge may have very well been right as far as art critics are concerned, I think it fair to say that he was mistaken in case of theologians evaluating a colleague's work. Instead of being mere opinion-pieces that decide the sales of a particular author, book reviews in journals ...
ABSTRACT Thesis (M.A.)--Graduate Theological Union, 2006. Includes bibliographical references (le... more ABSTRACT Thesis (M.A.)--Graduate Theological Union, 2006. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-155).
One-hundred-and-forty-two embryos of five lamnoid species (Carcharias taurus, Alopias supercilios... more One-hundred-and-forty-two embryos of five lamnoid species (Carcharias taurus, Alopias superciliosus, Alopias vulpinus, Isurus oxyrinchus, Lamna ditropis) were studied. Both, internal and external anatomical parameters were analyzed to determine the dynamics of embryological development. The study also investigates the evolutionary history of lamnoid reproductive strategies, in particular intrauterine cannibalism.
Are theology and science irreconcilable enemies, respectful conversation partners, or perhaps eve... more Are theology and science irreconcilable enemies, respectful conversation partners, or perhaps even necessary and complementary aspects of one and the same interpretation of human existence in the world? The course will explore these issues by establishing the underlying metaphysical questions, introducing philosophical tools for a fruitful interdisciplinary relationship, and analyzing specific contemporary issues in the academic field of theology and science. In particular, we will examine how the insights from the modern natural sciences (e.g., cosmology, quantum mechanics, relativity, evolutionary biology, neurobiology, cognitive ethology, ecology) can be related to such theological issues as the doctrine of God, revelation, creation, theological anthropology (human nature), divine action, grace, eschatology, and theodicy. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
In spite of the dispute over the state of the environment there is now little question about the ... more In spite of the dispute over the state of the environment there is now little question about the fact that the world is in a state of crisis. Due to human activity such as habitat destruction, overexploitation of nonhuman species, pollution, etc. the diversity of life on planet Earth is in danger. According to a recent study, we might currently be in the Earth's sixth mass extinction event (a loss of more than three-quarters of its species), which unlike the previous five is primarily due to human activity. Such a dramatic situation demands an equally sizable repsonse on part of humanity. For one, ecologists have demonstrated a positive correlation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions (the suite of benefits that healthy ecosystems provide to humans); further destruction of biodiversity will thus have negative effects for humans. But perhaps more importantly, nature has an intrinsic value which must be taken into consideration. Whatever one's ethical approach and presuppositions are for ecosystem protection and conservation of species, no one can afford ignoring the situation any further. This is true for religious believers as much as non-believers. In this course, we will take a close look at how the world religions deal with the current biodiversity crisis. The question we will seek to answer is in how far the religions of the world can and should respond qua religion to the environmental crisis in order to participate in an overall attempt at the conservation of biodiversity. To this end, we will (i) explore the extent of the crisis, (ii) investigate possible ways of relating religion and science productively, (iii) and study examples of how religious thinkers view the protection of life on Earth a religious mendate arising from theological or religious understandings. Students seeking RTC 3 credit must have completed RTC 2 and have at least 88 units.
This is an invited contribution to a discourse on the question whether we are to dominate animals... more This is an invited contribution to a discourse on the question whether we are to dominate animals and treat them as our subjects (cf. Gn 1) published in the "Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung". The opposite opinion was written by Reinhard Jung of the Farmers' Association of Brandenburg, Germany. While Mr. Jung argues that we are to dominate animals, though in an adequate way, I am arguing that we should see animals as co-creatures ("Mitgeschöpfe") rather than our subjects.
Zygon, Aug 20, 2009
Recent advances in evolutionary biology and ethology suggest that humans are not the only species... more Recent advances in evolutionary biology and ethology suggest that humans are not the only species capable of empathy and possibly morality. These findings are of no little consequence for theology, given that a nonhuman animal as a free moral agent would beg the question if human beings are indeed uniquely created in God's image. I argue that apes and some other mammals have moral agency and that a traditional interpretation of the imago Dei is incorrectly equating specialness with exclusivity. By framing the problem in terms of metaphor, following the work of Paul Ricoeur and Sallie McFague, I propose that the concept of the imago Dei could be extended to accommodate moral species other than our own.
Every community-based marine resource management (CBMRM) inherently takes place in a highly compl... more Every community-based marine resource management (CBMRM) inherently takes place in a highly complex social-ecological environment, and stakeholder perceptions related to various aspects of the natural and social environment guide behavior in every stage of the management process. This paper provides an introduction to the psychology of perception with regard to marine resource management. In particular, it offers a typology of CBMRM relevant perceptions along with an analysis of psychological, societal, and physical factors that modulate them. Based on this analysis, we propose the introduction of specially trained local Perception Experts (PE’s), whose role will be to recognize and reflect individual perceptions of involved stakeholders, and to communicate them at community meetings where decisions are made. This empirically testable addition to current CBMRM schemes could help to increase participation, develop management measures that fit the capacities of the involved stakeholders more accurately, and hence, contribute to a faster rehabilitation of marine resources.