Endocrine Disruption Flashcards
What are the two major functions of the endocrine system in the body?
coordinate homeostasis in the body
allows communication among organs
What are the physiological processes regulated by the endocrine system?
reproduction, growth, maintenance of the internal environment, energy availability
What are the key hormone groups?
thyroid, growth, adrenal cortex, reproductive
What is the role of thyroid hormones?
growth, metabolism, development
What is the role of growth hormones?
protein synthesis, cell growth and reproduction
What is the role of the adrenal cortex hormones?
aldosterone: electrolytes
Cortisol: stress
androgens: reproduction
What is the role of the adrenal medulla hormones?
sympathetic nervous system control, EPI and NEPI: fight or flight
What is the role of reproductive hormones?
reproduction/mating behaviour
secondary sex characteristics
formation of reproductive organs
What are the four classes of hormones?
peptide
steroid
amine
eicosanoid
How do hormones enter the cell?
fatty acid hormones and steroid hormones can pass through membranes
peptide and amine hormones must pass through second messenger system
What are the three reasons we are concerned about endocrine disrupting chemicals in our ecosystems?
- biologically active at very low levels, ng/L range
- Interactions with processes that may affect crucial physiological functions
- Ubiquitous
What are the four mechanisms of endocrine toxicity?
hormone synthesis, hormone transport, hormone action and hormone metabolism
What two mechanisms are considered in the endocrine disruptor assessments?
receptor mediated and hormone synthesis
What are risk assessments focusing on when studying endocrine disrupting chemicals?
estrogen, androgen, thyroid and steroidogenesis
What were some findings from the pill study that was done?
fathead minnow males produced vitellogenin, had gonad changes and saw a population decline
trout-slight population decline but could have been due to food source
populations can recover after estrogen stopped being added
