Research has shown environmental contaminants affecting the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Imitating the female hormone, estrogen, these pollutants have adverse repercussions on male alligators. This includes the reduction in the phallus size, which is an essential for sexual reproduction, bringing us to the topic of my research.

Started in the summer of 2007, my research focuses on setting the baseline for normal morphology and character in the phallus. In order to do this, phalluses from non-contaminated alligators were extracted and embedded in wax. From there, these samples were cross-sectioned the entire way through, being careful not to lose any bit of the tissue. Next, the sections were stained using a standard trichrome protocol. Finally, light microscopy was used to characterize the pattern and layout of the internal structures of the phallus. Those formations included glands, sinuses, and lymphatic space. To supplement this project, specific stains were used to highlight certain compounds thought to be present in the phallus. Once a firm understanding of the normal morphology of the male is determined, comparisons to alligators living in known, contaminated lakes can be made. Similarly, the cliterophallus, the female homologue to the phallus of the male alligator can be used for comparison. With this collection of information together, a better look at the effect of synthetic hormones on contaminated male alligators will be revealed.