HSS 4102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Endocrine Disruptor, Estrogen Receptor, Xenoestrogen
Document Summary
Endocrine disruption is one of the most controversial areas of teratology. Hormonally active compounds alter gene expression during early development in ways that have a significant impact on the health of humans and wildlife. Effects are typically not obvious anatomical malformations but more subtle changes. Changes can persist for several generations after exposure. Endocrine disruptors may be everywhere (plastic, cosmetics, pesticides) and even low doses may cause changes. Small physiological variations in hormone levels in utero produced effects that persisted in the adult life. There are several different mechanisms by which they act: agonists (ex. Dde a metabolite of ddt: increase in hormone synthesis (ex. Atrazine: affect elimination or transport of a hormone (ex. Pcb polychlorinated biphenyls affect th: can prime the organism to be more sensitive (ex. Bpa cause embryonic mammary cells to have more progesterone receptors) First endocrine disruptor (ed) in human was des.