Endocrine disruptors I

Question 1

An endocrine disruptor is an ___________ substance or mixture that alters function of the endocrine system

Answer 1

Exogenous

Question 2

What are some of the actions of EDCs?

Answer 2

Synthesis, secretion, transport, binding action, elimination

Question 3

Match the following EDCs to the neuroendocrine axes:

a) DDT
b) BPA
c) PCBs

i) HPA axis
ii) HPT axis
iii) HPG axis

Answer 3

i) b
ii) c
iii) a

Question 4

What is the main difference between the developmental effects of hormones and EDC?

Answer 4

Hormone - programs brain and endocrine system
EDC- disrupts programming processes

Question 5

How do EDCs work?

Answer 5

Mimicking hormones or blocking hormones

Question 6

Where are EDCs found?

Answer 6

Wildlife worldwide

Question 7

What are some possible sources of EDCs?

Answer 7

Untreated wastewater, industrial discharges, sewage system

Question 8

Which toxic chemical is found in the following?

a) Body lotions
b) Bug spray
c) Cologne

Answer 8

a) Parabens
b) DEET
c) Phthalates

Question 9

How do endocrine disruptors affect sex determination?

Answer 9

Alter germline DNA methylation -> alter testis transcriptome -> spermatogenic defect

Question 10

How would male fish make oocytes?

Answer 10

Something oestrogenic in sewage effluent gets to the fish

Question 11

Captive starlings fed contaminated worms in the winter displayed __________ volume of the HVC, which leads to _____________

Answer 11

Increased; more complex songs

Question 12

Female starlings prefer the males with __________

Answer 12

Complex songs

Question 13

How is the transmission of EDCs in humans to the next generation possible?

Answer 13

EDCs leave their epigenetic mark on the genes

Question 14

What are some potential disorders elicited by early EDC exposure?

Answer 14

Learning differences, cardiovascular disease, infertility, obesity, breast cancer, prostate cancer

Question 15

What is an example of system targeted by EDCs?

Answer 15

Reproductive health

Question 16

What were the effects of DES on children?

Answer 16

Children were at a higher risk of reproductive malformations, infertility, testicular cancer and vaginal carcinomas and obesity

Question 17

How is TBT obesogenic?

Answer 17

Stimulate differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes as well as increase fat deposition

Question 18

Which EDC from HPA axis has effects on obesity?

Answer 18

BPA

Question 19

_______________ _____________ refers to central obesity, insulin resistance/glucose intolerance, increased triglycerides and atherogenesis

Answer 19

Metabolic syndrome

Question 20

How do EDCs contribute to metabolic syndrome?

Answer 20

Inflammatory processes via cytokines
Producing effects of metabolic imbalance

Question 21

BPA binds to nuclear ___________ and __________ as well as mERs

Answer 21

ERa and ERb

Question 22

BPA is an ____________ to androgen receptors

Answer 22

Antagonist

Question 23

What is the tolerable daily intake of BPA in the USA?

Answer 23

50 ug/kg bw/day

Question 24

How does BPA alter epigenetic programming in early development?

Answer 24

It produces changes in methylation pattern

Question 25

What maternal diet can reduce DNA hypomethylation induced by BPA exposure?

Answer 25

Folic acid

Question 26

What are the effects of low dose BPA in animal experiments?

Answer 26

Changes in behavior, obesity following in utero exposure, reversal in brain sexual dimorphism

Question 27

Where are organotin compounds found?

Answer 27

Disinfectants and pesticides

Question 28

What are the adverse effects of organotin compounds on animals?

Answer 28

Disruption of endocrine function, alteration of hormone synthesis, alteration of bioavailability and activity of hormone receptors

Question 29

What are some organotin effects on the endocrine system?

Answer 29

Impaired glucose homeostasis, obsogenic effects, adipogenesis