Endocrine Disruption Flashcards
Examples of EDCs (Endocrine disruption chemicals)
Natural/ synthetic hormones (oral contraception)
Industrial chemicals (Bisphenol A, Phathalates)
Pesticides (DDT, lindane)
Metals (mercury, cadmium)
Endocrine disrupting agents definition
“An endocrine disrupter is an exogenous substance that causes adverse effects in an intact organism, or its offspring, subsequent to changes in endocrine function.”
Endocrine disruptors effects
on Reproductive/ Endocrine system
Breast / Prostate cancer
Diabetes
Obesity
Endocrine disruptors effects on Cardiopulmonary
Asthma
Heart Disease
Stroke
Endocrine disruptors effects on brain and Nervous System
Alzheimer disease
Parkinson disease
Learning disabilities
DDT Exposure in birds
DDT accumulated in earthworms, poisoning robins and other birds that consumed them.
confirmed that DDT exposure caused thinner eggshells and increased egg breakage.
Analysis revealed the eggs with the thinnest shells had the highest DDT levels.
DDT likely disrupted the birds’ endocrine systems, impairing calcium metabolism and weakening eggshells
Decline in Alligator Population- Lake Apopka from chlorinated and OP insecticides as well as copper-based fungicide run-off
Reproductive problems caused low hatching rates; depressed testosterone in males
raised estrogen in females
Antifouling paints as EDCs
Adult oysters developed ball-shaped shell deformities, and there was a significant decline in annual spatfall (juvenile oyster settlement)
These ecological disruptions led to the collapse of local oyster production, causing marked economic losses.
Intersex in UK Fish Populations
‘male’ roach found to be developing eggs
Subsequent research: treated sewage effluent that was oestrogenic to the fish (due to estrogen present in birth control pills and hormone therapy drugs)
influence the reproductive development and success
Human risk to EDCs
Reported developmental abnormalities
Low sperm count and testicular cancer in European Males
