EESA10H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Infertility, Prolactin, Fetus
7 Oct 2014
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Document Summary
Endocrine disruption: during the past 50 years, tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals have been synthesized and released into the general environment. Affects hormones in animals and sometimes humans: chemicals in our environment can interfere with endocrine function. Low-level exposures to hormones or toxicants may result in permanent physiological changes not seen in adults exposed at similar levels. Hormones and neurobehavioural effects: exposure to certain environmental pollutants has been associated with learning and behavioural abnormalities following prenatal or early postnatal exposures. In some cases there is evidence that these neurological abnormalities may be due to an endocrine mechanism: thyroid hormone is well known to affect development of the fetal brain. Lakes fish reveal delayed psychomotor development and increased distractibility in those most highly exposed. Beyond endocrine disruption: other signalling pathways: some chemicals, such as organophosphate pesticides interfere with neurotransmitter levels and binding.
