Endocrine Toxicology Flashcards
What is an endocrine disruptor?
An exogenous substance or mixture that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and causes adverse health effects.
What types of wildlife have shown evidence of endocrine disruption?
Molluscs, crustacea, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
What is a clear example of an endocrine disruptor in humans?
Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a prescribed estrogen given to pregnant women.
List some types of chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors.
- Natural hormones from animals
- Natural chemicals including plant toxins
- Synthetically produced pharmaceuticals
- Man-made chemicals and by-products
What are the two types of dose-response curves discussed in relation to EDCs?
Monotonic and Non-Monotonic Dose-Response Curves (NMDRC).
What is the main characteristic of the Tiered Screening system for EDCs?
It is a systematic approach to assess the potential endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals.
What is a Non-Monotonic Dose-Response Curve (NMDRC)?
A dose-response relationship where effects may be maximal at low and high doses, but different at intermediate doses.
What does KC1 stand for in the context of key characteristics of EDCs?
The chemical interacts with or activates hormone receptors.
True or False: The central dogma in toxicology is that ‘the dose makes the poison’.
True.
What health risks are associated with DES exposure in females?
- 2.5X increase in breast cancer risk
- Greatly elevated risk of uterine cancer
- Abnormal urogenital development
What are organizational effects of hormones?
Structural changes during development that are usually irreversible.
What are activational effects of hormones?
Transient effects of hormones on systems, typically in mature organisms.
What is considered a physiological dose?
The amount of free endogenous hormone that the EDC is mimicking or antagonizing.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the identified measure of toxicity such as death or malformations.
[toxicological dose]
What is the significance of timing in relation to EDC exposure?
Hormones have different effects at different periods of development, affecting vulnerability and potential permanent consequences.
What does EDC stand for?
Endocrine Disrupting Compound.
List some examples of synthetic endocrine disruptors.
- Acetochlor
- Atrazine
- Bisphenol A
- Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
- 17a-ethinylestradiol
What is the role of domestic animals in the study of endocrine disruption?
- Implicated in environmental endocrine disruption
- Used in research to investigate endocrine disruption
- Exposed to or affected by EDCs
What is the historical significance of the 1930s in endocrine disruption?
Chemicals were known to interact with hormone receptors.
What are the potential consequences of NMDRCs for toxicity testing?
They challenge the traditional dose-response assumptions in toxicology.
