Lecture 14: Exogenous Hormones I Flashcards
What are two sources of exogenous hormones?
- environmental exposure
- Pharmaceuticals
What is an EDC?
Exogenous chemicals capable of mimicking or blocking the action of hormones by binding to or interfering with their receptors. This interference disrupts signaling processes throughout the body, which can lead to a variety of diseases of the endocrine system
How is exposure to EDCs impacted by how we define what is “safe”?
Exposure to EDCs is widespread, and in some cases, ubiquitous, meaning we are all impacted by how we define what is “safe” in our chemical universe
How many chemicals in use today impact our basic endocrine systems? What do these effect?
Taken together, this collection of work raises concern about how many of the 90,000+ chemicals in use today may disrupt our most basic endocrine systems with significant consequences for neurodevelopment, neurophysiology, healthy brain aging and behavior
What should we push for in regards to EDCs?
“Push for deregulation… even though epidemiological studies revealing that prenatal EDC exposures may impact children’s development even when exposures are within the range or below reported “safe” levels
What about EDCs has been known for a long time?
Their ability to impair reproductive physiology
More recent recognition of how EDCs impair what 4 other complex behaviors?
- mate selection
- affiliative behaviors
- Neurodevelopment/cognition
- energy metabolism/obesogenic properties
What 5 things should be taken into consideration when studying EDCs?
- age of exposure
- duration of exposure
- latency between exposure and disease
- low dose effects
- measurement/screening
What 13 sources of poison are in our body?
- Colgate toothpaste
- liquid soap
- canned food
- hard plastic water bottles
- register receipts
- sunscreen
- make up
- vinyl shower curtains
- dryer sheets
- mothballs
- fabric protector
- nail polish
- foam filled furniture
Antimicrobials: details and sources
- can interfere with thyroid and other hormones
- found in: Colgate toothpaste, soap, deodorant
Benzophenones: details and sources
- can mimic natural hormones like estrogen
- found in: sunscreens, lotions, lip balms
Bisphenols: details and sources
- can mimic natural hormones like estrogen
- Found in: protective liners for canned goods, hard plastic water bottles, thermal paper register receipts
1,4 dichlorobenzene: details and sources
- can affect thyroid hormones and can increase risk for cancer
- found in: mothballs and toilet deodorizers
Parabens: details and sources
- can mimic natural hormones like estrogen
- found in: cosmetics, personal care products like shampoo, hair gels, lotions
Phthalates: details and sources
- can disrupt male reproductive development and fertility
- found in: vinyl shower curtains, fast food, nail polish, perfume/cologne
Fragrance chemicals: details and sources
- can exacerbate asthma symptoms and disrupt natural hormones
- found in: perfume/cologne, cleaning products, dryer sheets, air fresheners
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): details and sources
- can affect hormones, immune response in children and may increase risk of cancer
- found in: Scotchgard and other stain resistant treatments, fast food wrappers
Flame retardants: details and sources
- can affect neurodevelopment and hormone levels, and may increase risk of cancer
- found in: nail polish, foam cushioning in furniture, rigid foam insulation
What is sperm like in young adult males?
About 90% of sperm in a typical young man are misshapen, sometimes with two heads or two tails
What is a sperm under the influence of?
An endocrine disrupting chemical in sunscreen
Where are synthetic chemicals found?
Synthetic chemicals surround us. They are in our take out containers, children’s toys, furniture and clothes. There’s BPA in our receipts and flame retardants in our children’s car seats. You might think the government has carefully reviewed every chemical for safety before it hits the market. But it hasn’t
What did the Trump Administration do in 2016?
Scientists and environmentalists reacted with fear on the week of January 25, 2016 as the Trump Administration purged nearly all mentions of climate change programs for the White House and state department websites and ordered a freeze on federal grant spending at the environmental protection agency and other governmental agencies
What do chloropyrifos increase the risk of?
Increased risk of delayed mental development, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder
How much chlorpyrifos are used a year?
Six million pounds of chlorpyrifos are used each year on more than 50 crops in the United States, including corn, soybeans, asparagus, peaches, strawberries, apples, broccoli, onions, walnuts and cranberries
