Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology

Question 1

What is the difference between a developmental toxin and a reproductive toxin and name an example of each and its effect?

Answer 1

Developmental toxin - agents that cause adverse effects on the developing child
(i.e. vinyl chloride - associated w/ increased rates of spontaneous abortion in their wives)

Reproductive toxin - cause adverse effects on reproductive systems (i.e. kepone - disrupts male reproductive health)

Question 2

What are critical windows?

Answer 2

Sensitive periods

Question 3

What period of development does organogenesis occur in?

Answer 3

Day 18-40

Question 4

What changes occur in pregnancy that can affect ADME (give example); role of placenta?

Answer 4

Mercury, placenta can metabolize/biotransform

Question 5

Describe factors that affect limitations in knowledge (background issues in reproduction and development, available testing methodologies, etc.)

Answer 5

Difficulty in measurability and confounding background for assessment

Question 6

What is a DART study?

Answer 6

Determine whether substance has potential to cause adverse effects on reproductive system

Question 7

What is a teratogen?

Answer 7

Agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo (i.e. Alcohol)

Question 8

What is the developmental period?

Answer 8

Conception to sexual maturity (susceptible time period)

Question 9

What are endocrine disruptors?

Answer 9

Chemicals that can interfere w/ normal hormonal function (i.e. lead)