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Introduction:
Endocrine-disruptors chemicals are exogenous substances that are exposed into the environment and interfere with the endocrine system (Rubin, 2011). These chemicals interrupt the normal hormonal process in developmental (growth), immune effects, neurological system but mostly its main target is reproductive system (Schonfelder, Froedrich, & Chahoud, 2004). Substances such as pharmaceuticals, DDT, polychlorinated biphnyls and bisphenol A (BPA) can be the examples of endocrine-disruptors chemicals (Wetherill, Petre, Monk, Knudsen, 2002). Among all of these chemicals, BPA is the most common chemical that is exposed in people’s daily life and this affects human and wildlife the most (Xiao, Diao, Smith, Song, & Ye, 2011). Bisphenol A (BPA) is a benzene derived monomer which is one of the highest volume chemicals that produces about 8 billion pounds annually worldwide (Rubin, 2011). This chemical contains two unsaturated phenol functional groups and it exists in everywhere (Schonfelder et al., 2004). It can be found in medical devices, dental supply tools, water bottles, food/beverage containers, baby supplies like milk bottle and many other products that are manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins which are pervasive in the environment and our daily lives (Braun et al., 2011). Majority of human population can be exposed to BPA mainly via inhalation, ingestion and skin contact (Xiao et al., 2011). With very low dose of BPA (20μg/kg body weight/day) still can bring disruptions in hormone’s physiological function like carcinogenic effects, cancer precursors in breast, brain dysfunction, impair immune system, male sexual dysfunction, diabetes and birth defects (Rubin 2007). When BPA is exposed to the pregnant women, this ca...
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...asia, 6(5), 584-594.
Susiarjo, M., Hassold, T. J., Freeman, E., & Hunt, P. a. (2007). Bisphenol A exposure in utero disrupts early oogenesis in the mouse. PLoS genetics, 3(1), e5.
Wetherill, Y., Petre, C., Monk, K., Knudsen, K. (2002) The xenoestrogen bisphenol A induces inappropriate androgen receptor activation and mitogenesis in prostatic adenocarcinoma cells. Mol. Cancer Ther, 1, 515-524.
Xiao, S., Diao, H., Smith, M. A., Song, X., & Ye, X. (2011). Preimplantation exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) affects embryo transport, preimplantation embryo development, and uterine receptivity in mice. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 32(4), 434–41.
BIOL 4080 Jiyoung, Park
Professor. Lutfia 0458243
11/21/ 2013
Endocrine-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A effects development of organisms
Lead poisoning in children was first discovered in 1890 in Queensland, Australia. The lead source was not identified until 1904, when a researcher traced it to the paint used on railings and verandahs. The first discovery of lead poisoning in the United States (with a traceable source) was in 1914; the child had chewed the paint off of his crib. At this time they linked lead poisoning as a cause of convulsions in children. As research progressed and more children were found with high lead levels, symptoms caused by lead were expanded to include lead meningitis, acute encephalopathy, intellectual dullness, reduced consciousness, seizures, comas, and death (Chisholm, 1982).
With the increased rate of integrating In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), there has been a steep inclination within the associated needs of specifications. Observably, the development of babies using scientific measures was initially formulated and specified for developing the diverse range of development associated with the same (Turriziani, 2014). However, these developments are noted to be creating an adverse impact on the natural course of events and subsequently, resulting with an adverse impact on the natural process of the development of babies. The initial integrations within the system of IVF for developing babies have further been initiated with the effective use of science to develop a healthy baby. Hence, the use of such progressions can be argued as not hampering the ethical needs associated with the same. Conversely, the initial progression within the same and the changes in the use of such practices are identified as unethical, as it has been acting as a threat in the natural course of development of embryos and altering the natural course of events, suspected to be imposing significant influence on infant mortality (Turriziani,
Prostate cancer has been the number one diagnosed cancer today. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one in every ten American men will develop prostate cancer during his lifespan. This cancer has been very common in the last few years. American Cancer Society reported over 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer. Huge number of population suffered severely. The prostate is significant for reproduction. It helps the substances that are involved in fertilization and transporting of sperm as well as survival. Prostate tumor is developed in the prostate gland, which is found in the men’s reproductive system. Prostate is the size of a walnut, which is located inferiorly in the penis and anterior to the rectum. It contains the connective tissue, which includes the glandular and fibrous tissues. This tumor starts to develop during their adolescent year due to the control of the male reproductive hormones. When the tumor starts to develop, it begins at the urethra, which is a tube that releases the urine from the bladder. The tumor is a slow development yet it is contagious to the other parts of the body, such as it does affect the pelvic bones, lungs, liver, and the lower vertebrae (Zenka, 2009).
Neurobehavioral and developmental deficits occur in newborns and through school-aged children who had in utero exposure to PCBs.
Some researchers believe that mutated genes are linked to PCOS. If your mother or sister has PCOS, there is a greater chance of you having the same disorder. Abnormal fetal development is caused by excessive exposure to androgens, permanently tampering normal gene expression. Exposure to androgens may lead to the male pattern of abdominal fat distribution, increasing the risk of insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation. Under normal circumstances, the pancreas produces insulin to change glucose into energy. However, with PCOS, the body’s white blood cells produce substances that can lead to insulin resistance. Thus, the pancreas must create more insulin to override the insulin resistance, causing a boost in androgen production by the ovaries. Eating certain foods can cause low-grade inflammation.
It seems that if fetuses are exposed to less than 100 mGy at any point in the pregnancy the outcome... ... middle of paper ... ...of IR exposures” (Soklov 15701). It is important for researchers to be able to study stem cells so that they can continue to find measures that can prevent cell death and malformations in mothers and fetuses. Many of the experts agree that the dose should be kept as low as possible with minimal exposure to the fetus of any age.
Multiple studies have found that FAS is the single most common cause of mental retardation that is completely preventable. When alcohol is consumed during pregnancy it acts as a teratogen, which means it is a substance that interferes with growth and development, and is capable of causing birth defects such as hearing loss, vision loss, reduced cognitive ability, and motor skill deficiencies. Flattened mid-face, short nose and a thinner upper lip are also common physical abnormalities (Tangient LLC, 2014). When consumed, alcohol from the mother’s bloodstream crosses easily into the fetal bloodstream. Because of their size, the unborn baby has a lower capability to metabolize the alcohol, thus it remains in its system for a longer period of time and can result in...
During recent years, numerous newspaper and magazine articles have suggested that humans may be at risk because small amounts of well known environmental contaminants, such as dioxin, PCBs and DDT, can affect hormone levels. Hormones are produced by the endocrine system as regulators of biological function in target organs. Because hormones play a critical role in early development, toxicological effects on the endocrine system often have an impact on the reproductive system. The term endocrine disruptor is used to describe chemicals that can mimic hormones and may either enhance or counteract their effects. It has been suggested that these hormone changes can, in turn, lead to a variety of health problems including cancer, decreased fertility, and abnormalities in newborns.
“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!” A child has most likely heard that phrase at some point in their life. Although, it is not ethical or legal for a mother to “take her kid out of this world”, it does bring up a good point that it was through her body, that the child was born. One of the most important responsibilities in this world is a mother carrying a child in the womb. There are many divine processes that take place during gestation, but there are also many contributing factors from the mother that can affect the developing human. These factors may include what a woman ingests and exposes her embryo or fetus to. Sadly, alcohol use during pregnancy is an ongoing problem that can have detrimental affects on the fetus, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Choosing to drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy is a choice, a risky choice. Unfortunately some women don’t even know they are making a risky choice by consuming alcohol because it is in the early stages of pregnancy. It is common for a female to not find out they are pregnant until at least the fifth or sixth week after fertilization. In 2006, 49% of all pregnancies in the United States were reported unintended on a national survey.1 The highest rate of preventable birth defects and mental retardation is due to alcohol use.2 In this paper, I will further discuss FAS, the potential effects of binge drinking during the embryonic stage of gestation, and what actions need to be taken in order to reduce the incidences of alcohol related birth defects.
For many years it was believed that alcohol can affect an unborn child only after placenta and umbilical cord are fully developed. Ten to fourteen days after fertilization the egg arrives into the uterus, and nests there. In that phase there is no connection between a mother’s bloodstream and a child via umbilical cord, but while placenta is developing embryo is getting its nutrients from mother’s blood through yolk sac. The minute alcohol enters mother’s bloodstream trough her stomach and the small intestine, it will also get to the embryo by cellular processes and it will disturb the cell division.
The US Container Recycling Institute estimates that 67 million plastic water bottles are discarded every day, which is enough to wrap around the planet 149 times each year. Therefore, plastic water bottles should be banned from public use. The usage of water bottles should be suppressed because they are incredibly dangerous, wasteful, expensive, and rarely recycled. Researchers have stated that plastic bottles containing water can contain many harmful chemicals. After close examination of the plastic, researchers have concluded that some plastics contain chemicals, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens, which may leach into the water, especially after being stagnant for long periods of time.
The internal female anatomy that allows for reproduction is extremely particular. Starting in the ovary, otherwise known as the female gamete, eggs or oocytes are produced. These eggs, once fertilized can complete the process of meiosis, where daughter cells are formed. These daughter cells supply the embryo with its chromosomes in order to fully develop. Problems can also arise once sperm fertilizes an egg. Birth defects that follow patterns throughout a family line would be considered genetic or inherited. Teratogens are classified as any substance that may cause negative effects upon a developing fetus or embryo. For instance, substances such as alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy have been widely known to cause birth defects and can even lead to miscarriages. My focus is a study by Alan S. Brown, which proposes that alongside teratogens and genetic makeup, certain prenatal infections are leading to a birth defect that does not appear right at birth, but emerges as an adult: schizophrenia.
Every woman when pregnant has a 3-5% chance of having a baby born with a birth defect, and these chances increase when the developing fetus/ embryos are exposed to teratogens, whether it’s intentional or unintentional (Bethesda (MD), 2006). Teratogens can cause severe birth defects, malformations, or terminate the pregnancy altogether (Jancárková, & Gregor, 2000). The placenta is known as an effective barrier from any detrimental pathogen that can potentially hurt the fetus. The timing of exposure of any teratogen is critical to the impact of prenatal development (Bethesda (MD), 2006). The most vulnerable time of the fetus for severe damage is during early pregnancy when all the major organ and central nervous system (CNS) are developing. Miscarriages have an important role in keeping a pregnancy from evolving when there is something serious going on with the developing fetus/embryo. Miscarriages are more common than we think and are the most familiar type of pregnancy loss (Bethesda (MD), 2006).
Some examples of harmful toxins with difficult names include diethanolamine (DEA), formaldehyde, glucocorticoids, and triethanolamine (TEA). We are exposed to toxic chemicals in many ways. We may breathe them in as sprays and powders, swallow chemicals on our lips and, even rub them on our skin. According to a team of researchers who conducted a study on the relationship between exposure to phthalates and DNA damage on human sperm, “cosmetics frequently contain enhancers that allow ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. Studies have found health problems in people exposed to common fragrance and sunscreen ingredients, including increased risk of sperm damage, feminization of the male reproductive system and low birth weight in girls” (Duty et al. 1164). There should be regulations banning toxic chemicals from personal care and beauty products because toxins are bad for our health (1), the consumer faith in cosmetic companies are suffering (2), and other countries recognized the effects and banned it while America has not
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used to create polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are found in a wide range of products, but food and drink containers are the most concerning. Most people fear that BPA will have negative effect...