We have established an animal model in which exposure to an environmental chemical during pregnancy results in disorders very similar to human TDS, and we are using this model to identify the mechanisms by which these disorders arise In order to establish the mechanisms by which the Wolffian duct develops into its different tissue components, we are using animal models and tissue cultures in which the actions of testosterone and oestradiol, and the expression of tissue patterning genes, can be manipulated This greatly enhances our capacity to undertake research into many of the dynamic processes seen in reproductive tissues: inflammation; rapid cell proliferation and cell death; and the fast growth and demise of blood vessels