EESA10H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Thyroid, Biomonitoring, Bioaccumulation
31 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Human Health and the Environment
EESA10- Lecture 4- Chemical Hazards
Background information:
In the human body there are different glands which make up the
body’s endocrine system. Some of the glands fall into a category known as ‘endocrine glands’,
others are known as ‘exocrine glands’ and some glands are both. This lecture will focus on the
endocrine glands because these glands are responsible for producing and releasing hormones
(which are chemicals) that target and regulate the growth, development, reproduction, and
metabolism of the body.
Endocrine Disruptors:
When the body is exposed to foreign chemicals that are similar in structure to
hormones, the body will mistake, or mimic, the foreign chemical for a hormone but will have
different and sometimes dangerous effects. Endocrine disruptors can have direct or indirect
consequences and fetuses are much more sensitive to the exposure of endocrine disruptors
than adults.
1. Direct Effects:
a. Foreign chemicals might bind to hormone receptors rather than the correct
hormone
b. It could change the appearance or expression of genes
c. It could alter the amount of proteins that are produced
2. Indirect Effects:
a. It could alter the production of hormones
b. It could change how hormones are transported throughout the body
c. It could alter how hormones are metabolised by the body
Examples of the increased sensitivity of fetuses to endocrine disruptors than adults.
➢Know that DES stands for diethylstilbestrol and what it was used for
○This synthetic estrogen hormone was used by doctors in 1948-1971 to prevent
spontaneous abortions (or miscarriages) in pregnant women
○It was used frequently in the 60’s
Document Summary
Background information: in the human body there are different glands which make up the body"s endocrine system. Some of the glands fall into a category known as endocrine glands", others are known as exocrine glands" and some glands are both. This lecture will focus on the endocrine glands because these glands are responsible for producing and releasing hormones (which are chemicals) that target and regulate the growth, development, reproduction, and metabolism of the body. When the body is exposed to foreign chemicals that are similar in structure to hormones, the body will mistake, or mimic , the foreign chemical for a hormone but will have different and sometimes dangerous effects. Endocrine disruptors can have direct or indirect consequences and fetuses are much more sensitive to the exposure of endocrine disruptors than adults: direct effects, foreign chemicals might bind to hormone receptors rather than the correct hormone b. c. It could change the appearance or expression of genes.
