Effects of the common pesticide methoxychlor on ovarian steroidogenesis

Abstract

Many people have inspired, supported and laughed with me during my time at West Virginia University and NIOSH, and I would like to thank them all for a great graduate school experience. This dissertation could not have been written without the support and friendship of these people. My first debt of gratitude must go to my advisor, Dr. Eisuke Murono. He patiently provided the vision, encouragement and help for me to proceed through the doctoral program and complete my dissertation. Without his expert guidance, motivation, and support, I would not have been able to accomplish all that I have done and all that I hope to achieve in the future. His example, as a mentor, a researcher, a teacher, a kind and helpful person and friend, continue to serve as guidelines for my career. The faculty, staff and graduate students at West Virginia University and NIOSH are among the kindest people that I have ever met and I feel honored to have worked with them. Their guidance has served me well and I owe them my heartfelt appreciation. My committee members deserve a special note of praise, for they have watched over me since my first days as a graduate student. I sincerely thank Dr. Goodman, Dr. Hileman, Dr. Millecchia and Dr. Flores for all of their help and scientific input which helped to make this dissertation complete. Ray Derk deserves my sincerest thanks, his friendship, guidance and assistance has meant more to me than I could ever express. I have learned most of the laboratory skills from him, and he helped me ease the pain of daily life. I would like to especially thank my common area friends at NIOSH and my classmates at the Department of Physiology for keeping things fun. From this group James Scabilloni deserves my special thanks for being a source of laughter and support. Finally, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my family. My parents, my two sisters and my brother have always shared their loves with me, and I am thankful for their love, support, and humor throughout my entire life. They have always believed in me and helped me reach my goals. I am especially grateful to my wife and best friend, Ayfer. Her love and support is unfailing and her patience and understanding during many long days working was unselfish and appreciated more than she knows. This work, and my life, is dedicated to my family. vi