Endocrine Disruption Faith M. Oi University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Dept. Gainesville, FL

The Concerns Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been implicated in everything from alligator feminization to human infertility, cancer and recently obesity. EPA is beginning Tier 1 screening –Tier 2 concentrates on doses Documentation has been and will continue to be difficult and controversial

EDC Brief History 1930’s, observations that synthetic chemicals could mimic hormones 1991, Wingspread –“Chemically induced alternations in sexual development: The wildlife/human connection”

EDC Brief History “Many compounds introduced into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Endocrine disruption can be profound because of the crucial role hormones play in controlling development.”

The Endocrine Disruption Screening Program

Investigations into the Effects of EDCs Sperm quality—several studies report decline Fertility—implication, exposure to high levels can impair fertility and increase rate of miscarriage Abnormalities in male sex organs Precocious puberty Association with certain cancers –Testicular cancer increase from 1973 to 1999 across all age groups Caucasian: 51.8% African-American: 49.4% –Breast cancer increase Caucasian: 27.9% African-American: 34.8% –Brain cancer increase in children 14 or younger 50.2%

Routes of Exposure Oral-- ingestion Dermal-- skin contamination (60-90%) Inhalation-- breath airborne insecticides (<1%) Ocular-- eyes

Acute Toxicity Definition: Ability of a chemical to do systemic damage resulting from a single exposure to a relatively large dose Effects are usually seen within minutes to hours of exposure

How Does the LD 50 Work? The Concept Acute toxicity is measured by the LD 50 –LD 50 (Lethal Dose): Dose that it takes to kill 50% of the test population Who invented the concept of the LD50? J. W. Trevan, Was trying to estimate relative poisoning effects of drugs and medicines.

s/toxicology/endocrinedisrupter.jpg Some chemicals mimic a natural hormone, fooling the body into over- responding to the stimulus (e.g., a growth hormone that results in increased muscle mass), or responding at inappropriate times (e.g., producing insulin when it is not needed). block the effects of a hormone from certain receptors (e.g. growth hormones required for normal development). directly stimulate or inhibit the endocrine system and cause overproduction or underproduction of hormones Epa.gov

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Endocrine Disruption The Reader’s Digest Version Endocrine system secretes hormones into the blood stream and works in conjunction with the nervous system EDCs mimic hormones and interfere with synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action or elimination of natural hormones. EDCs are bad for adults, worse for children and worst for unborn children of parents who are exposed

Endocrine Disruption The Reader’s Digest Version Hypothalamus - The hypothalamus links our endocrine and nervous systems together. The hypothalamus drives the endocrine system. Pituitary gland - The pituitary gland receives signals from the hypothalamus. The posterior lobe secretes hormones that are made by the hypothalamus. The anterior lobe produces its own hormones, several of which act on other endocrine glands.

Endocrine Disruption The Reader’s Digest Version Pancreas - The pancreas is responsible for producing glucagon and insulin. Both hormones help regulate the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Gonads - produce steroids that affect growth and development and also regulate reproductive cycles and behaviors. The major categories of gonadal steroids are androgens, estrogens, and progestins, all of which are found in both males and females but at different levels.

Endocrine Disruption The Reader’s Digest Version Children are not little adults –Pound for pound, a child’s exposure is greater than an adults (dose-response) –Immature blood-brain barrier—allows more chemical passage –Detoxication systems may not be fully functional—timing of exposure.

Endocrine Disruption The Reader’s Digest Version “Because children have more future years of life than most adults, they have more time to develop chronic diseases that may be triggered by early exposures.” Landrigan et al Assessing the effects of endocrine disruptors in the national children’s study. Environ. Health Perspectives 111(13):

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