Synopses & Reviews
Endocrine disruption represents one of the most controversial environmental issues of our time. So far, many substances, both natural and artificial, have been recognized to interfere with endocrine signaling pathways. In intact laboratory animals, this interaction has been documented to generate adverse health outcomes by impairing normal functions. With regard to humans, and in particular puberty (the most rapid growth phase), there is evidence to suggest that Endocrine Disruptions (EDs) have a significant impact on development. There is no question that proliferative data indicate that many endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) do link to reproductive disorders and disturbed thyroid homeostasis. Recently, as a result of animal models and preliminary human studies, a new area of interest has arisen concerning the implication of EDs in the etiology of obesity and diabetes, the two major, life-threatening, epidemics of the modern world -- the prevalence for which is rising rapidly in children and young adults. The group of molecules with endocrine disrupting properties is rather heterogeneous and includes naturally occurring substances (e.g., phytoestrogens such as soy), biochemically manufactured compounds such as plasticizers, pesticides, fungicides, industrial solvents, pharmaceutical agents (diethylstilbestrol ) and heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium). Due to an unprecedented increase in the production and use of industrial and agricultural chemicals during the last decades, humans during puberty (one of the most vulnerable stages of human development) are speculated to be routinely and imprudently exposed to a wide variety of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Given their persistence and bioaccumulation potency, some can be detected in high levels at the top of the food chain leading to a significant human body burden, even early in life. This text will focus on the effects of endocrine disruptors on female and male reproductive systems, including thyroid and metabolism in all developmental stages of puberty. The first section will discuss the basic biology of endocrine disruptors, covering definition, classification of EDCs, physicochemical properties, environmental distribution. This part will also include molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruption and endocrine disruptors in the developing organism including the neuroendocrine HPG targets of developmental exposure to EDs. The second and third parts will cover developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors and consequent adverse female reproductive outcomes, as well as the male reproductive outcomes. In the fourth and fifth sections, discussion turns to the developmental exposure of endocrine disruptors on thyroid dysregulation and on metabolism. Finally, in section six, several of the key issues involved in the way EDCs are discussed in the public health arena are covered.
Synopsis
1 Introduction to endocrine disruptors and Puberty
Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis
Andrea C. Gore
Part I: EDCs, endocrine systems, and puberty
2 In utero exposure to environmental chemicals - Lessons from maternal cigarette smoking and its effects on gonad development and puberty
Rebecca McKinlay
Peter O'Shaughnessey
Richard M. Sharpe
Paul A. Fowler
3 Reproductive Neuroendocrine Targets of Developmental Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors
Sarah M. Dickerson
Stephanie L. Cunningham
Andrea C. Gore
4 Endocrine disruptors and puberty disorders from mice to men (and women)
Alberto Mantovani
5 Thyroid hormone regulation of mammalian reproductive development and the potential impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals
Kara Renee Thoemke
Thomas William Bastian
Grant Wesley Anderson
Part II: Developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors and adverse reproductive outcomes
6 Developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors and ovarian function
Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis
Eleni Palioura
Eleni A.Kandaraki
7 Developmental exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and adverse effects on mammary gland development
Suzanne Fenton
Lydia M. Beck
Aditi R. Borde
Jennifer Rayner
8 Developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors and male urogenital tract malformations
Mariana F. Fernandez
Nicolas Olea, MD PhD
9 EDC exposures and the development of reproductive and non-reproductive behaviors
Amy B. Wisniewski
Craige C. Wrenn
Ashwini Mallappa
Part III. Developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors and metabolic disorders
10 Adipocytes as target cells for endocrine disruption
Amanda Janesick
Bruce Blumberg
11 Altered Glucose Homeostasis Resulting From Developmental Exposures To Endocrine Disruptors
Alan Schneyer
Melissa Brown
12 Developmental Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Is there a Connection with Birth and Childhood Weights?
Elizabeth E. Hatch
Jessica W Nelson
Rebecca Triosi
Linda Titus
Part IV. EDCs and Human Health
13 The Impact Of Endocrine Disruptors On Female Pubertal Timing
Jean-Pierre Bourguignon
Anne-Simone Parent
14 The influence of endocrine disruptors on Male Pubertal Timing
Xiu-feng Wu
Ningning Zhang
Mary M. Lee
15 Secular Trends in Pubertal Timing: A Role for Environmental Chemical Exposure?
Vincent F. Garry
Peter Truran, PhD
Synopsis
Reviewing basic biology, molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruption and more, this book focuses on the effects of endocrine disruptors
Table of Contents
1