Endecrine Disruntion Glands in the endocrine system secrete hormones into the bl

Question

Endecrine Disruntion Glands in the endocrine system secrete hormones into the bloodstream that bind receptors in other locations in the body. When they bind to the receptors, these hormonal signals are responsible for controlling many different aspects of physiology, including metabolism, growth, development, and reproduction. In order to control these processes properly, the hormones must be released at appropriate times and in appropriate amounts (usually very small amounts). Hormones released at the wrong time or in a concentration that is too high may have a different or even opposite effect from normal. Certain human-made chemicals have structures similar to hormones and are actually capable of mimicking or blocking the hormones' actions by binding to their receptors. When humans and other animals are exposed to these chemicals through the food chain or through direct contact, disruption of normal endocrine function can occur. Lake Apopka Alligators In 1980, there was a major spill of DDT (a persistent chlorinated insecticide) into Florida's Lake Apopka that caused high rates of mortality in much of the wildlife there. The American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) that survived the initial spill were found to have high concentrations of DDE (a metabolite of DDT) in their tissues. Decades later, the alligators in the lake still have DDE in their tissues and their populations do not seem to have recovered to pre- realized that something was negatively impacting reproduction in these animals. Since then, he describing the findings of their research related to the effects of DDE and other human-made spill conditions. Dr. Louis Guillette began studying this population in the 1980s and soon and his colleagues have published several papers (see references below for two of them) chemicals on American alligators at Lake Apopka. In these papers, they show that juvenile male

Explanation / Answer

The endocrine system is a complex communication system between chemical signals and their targets responsible for regulating internal functions of the body. The endocrine system is vital to health, especially reproductive health and the maintenance of species. However, because of many endocrine disruptors such as what chemicals are included, their persistence in the environment and their health effects

ENDOCRINE DISRUPtORS-

Any substance that alters the function of this system is termed an endocrine disruptor. Endocrine disruptors, commonly referred to as “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals” (EDCs), can alter endocrine function by a variety of different mechanisms:

1. By mimicking the sex steroid hormones estrogen and androgen
2. By altering the synthesis and breakdown of natural hormones.
3. By modifying the production and functioning of hormone receptors.

Sources of endocrine disruptors -

Xenoestrogen -

Origin - It is derived from a Greek word

xeno- meaning foreign

estrus- meaning sexual desire

gene- meaning "to generate

These are also known as "environmental hormones" or "Endocrine Disrupting Compounds'' (EDC) which are considered as environmental hazards because they have hormone disruptive effects on both wildlife and humans.

Chemicals like xenoestrogens can mimic endogenous hormones or interfere with endocrine processes called as endocrine disruptors.   

It is a type of Xenohormone which is either a natural compound or synthetic compound.

ADVERSE EFFECT BY XENOESTROGEN-

Xenoestrogen contamination is identified as a major source of deficient sperm quality. These agents exert a deleterious influence at both the hypothalamic-pituitary levels, and on testicular spermatogenesis.

Major Effect of xenoestrogen

Antiandrogen -

Definition-   Antiandrogen drugs are a diverse group of drugs that counteract the effects of androgens (male sex hormones) on various body organs and tissues.

eg.-Leuprolide, Goserelin, Triptorelin

Adverse effects of antiandrogen -

Antiandrogen causes disorders ranging from skin problems to the mental disorder like-

A study in Florida observed reduced phallus size and altered estrogen to testosterone levels in alligators, which are the result of developmental exposure to environmental estrogens or anti-androgens

Evidence of possible human health effects from exposure to environmental estrogens stems from a paper that was published in 1992 suggesting decreased sperm counts and male reproductive capabilities over the past 50 years

A reanalysis was also done confirming the fact.

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