Endocrine disrupters and female reproductive health

McLachlan, John A.; Simpson, Erica; Martin, Melvenia M.

doi:10.1016/j.beem.2005.09.009

Cited by 193 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…This does not mean that there are no genetic differences in the population, but that any genetic differences that exist can be over-ridden by incubation at a specific temperature (Sarre et al, 2004). In species such as alligators and frogs, hormones or their mimics found in the environment may have a strong influence on early sexual development (Milnes et al, 2005;McLachlan et al, 2006). The molecular regulation of sex determination in animals where Sry is absent is not understood.…”

Section: Primary Sex Determination In Other Vertebrates: Taking the Mmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing the bipotential gonad between alternative organ fates: A new perspective on an old problem

Kim

Capel

2006

Developmental Dynamics

140

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The embryonic gonads give rise to one of two morphologically and functionally different organs, a testis or an ovary. Sex determination is the embryonic process that determines the developmental fate of the gonad. In mammals, sex determination is regulated by a DNA binding protein encoded on the Y chromosome, Sry, and it's downstream mediator, Sox9, which trigger testis determination in the bipotential gonad. However, evidence suggests that the extracellular signals. Fgf9 and Wnt4, are also required to establish divergent organogenesis of the gonad. In this review, we discuss how these extracellular signals interface with cell-autonomous factors to determine the fate of the mammalian gonad, and we derive a model that could provide a molecular explanation for testis determination in vertebrates where Sry is absent. Developmental Dynamics 235:2292-2300, 2006.

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Section: Primary Sex Determination In Other Vertebrates: Taking the Mmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing the bipotential gonad between alternative organ fates: A new perspective on an old problem

Kim

Capel

2006

Developmental Dynamics

140

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“…TCDD also induced histone modifications in normal human mammary epithelial cells [89]. Other environmental contaminants such as phthalate esters [90], polychlorinated biphenyls [91,92], and chlorine disinfection by-products [93] also affect the reproductive system or induce tumor development by altering DNA methylation and/or steroid hormone metabolism and signaling.…”

Section: Xenochemicals and Endocrine Disruptors-the Link Between In Umentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic reprogramming and imprinting in origins of disease

Tang

2007

Rev Endocr Metab Disord

217

134

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The traditional view that gene and environment interactions control disease susceptibility can now be expanded to include epigenetic reprogramming as a key determinant of origins of human disease. Currently, epigenetics is defined as heritable changes in gene expression that do not alter DNA sequence but are mitotically and trans-generationally inheritable. Epigenetic reprogramming is the process by which an organism's genotype interacts with the environment to produce its phenotype and provides a framework for explaining individual variations and the uniqueness of cells, tissues, or organs despite identical genetic information. The main epigenetic mediators are histone modification, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNAs. They regulate crucial cellular functions such as genome stability, X-chromosome inactivation, gene imprinting, and reprogramming of non-imprinting genes, and work on developmental plasticity such that exposures to endogenous or exogenous factors during critical periods permanently alter the structure or function of specific organ systems. Developmental epigenetics is believed to establish "adaptive" phenotypes to meet the demands of the later-life environment. Resulting phenotypes that match predicted later-life demands will promote health, while a high degree of mismatch will impede adaptability to later-life challenges and elevate disease risk. The rapid introduction of synthetic chemicals, medical interventions, environmental pollutants, and lifestyle choices, may result in conflict with the programmed adaptive changes made during early development, and explain the alarming increases in some diseases. The recent identification of a significant number of epigenetically regulated genes in various model systems has prepared the field to take on the challenge of characterizing distinct epigenomes related to various diseases. Improvements in human health could then be redirected from curative care to personalized, preventive medicine based, in part, on epigenetic markings etched in the "margins" of one's genetic make-up. NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptRev Endocr Metab Disord. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 June 13. Epigenetics meets genetics in disease susceptibilityIn the past, susceptibility of disease was believed to be determined solely by inheritable information carried on the primary sequence of the DNA. Individuals are endowed with different genotypes that dictate how they respond to endogenous factors such as development cues, hormones, and cytokines or to exogenous influences, including nutrient availability, infection, physical activities, social behavior, and other environmental factors. Over time, these responses form the basis of genetic variability to disease susceptibility. Aberrant changes in linear DNA sequence result in mutations, deletions, gene fusion, tandem duplications, or gene amplifications causing dysregulation of gene expression that underlies the genesis of disease [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Recently, however, it has become clear that epigenetic disr...

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“…Related human/clinical work examines a host of social behaviors in different settings such as the home or school environment [30,31]. Other social-related research has focused on the effects of PCBs on reproductive behavior and fertility [32,33]. One of the recent reports on social behavior described the effects of PCBs on social play interactions in children in a Dutch cohort [34].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on maternal odor conditioning in rat pups

Cromwell

Johnson

McKnight

et al. 2007

Physiology & Behavior

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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are pervasive environmental contaminants that can have damaging effects on physiologic, motoric and cognitive function. Results from studies on PCBs and behavior have shown that exposure can alter learning and memory processes and that these shifts in cognitive abilities can be related to changes in hormonal and neural function. Little experimentation has been done on the impact of exposure to PCBs on social and emotional development. Previous work has shown that exposure to PCBs in children can alter play behavior. Importantly, exposure to PCBs has been found to change aspects of maternal-offspring interactions in rodents. The present study examined the impact of PCBs on maternal odor conditioning in rat pups 12-14 days of age. A modified version of the conditioned place preference paradigm was used that incorporated a maternal-associated odor cue (lemon scent) as the conditioned stimulus. PCBs significantly depressed the preference for the maternal-associated cue but did not impair discrimination for a novel odor. These effects could arise due to changes in the social dynamics between the dam and offspring after co-exposure to PCBs. For example, dams exposed to PCBs during gestation have been found to show elevated grooming directed towards pups exposed to PCBs. This change in maternal care can have dramatic effects on behavioral and hormonal systems in the developing rat pup. In conclusion, perinatal PCBs alter important social behaviors of both the mother and pup, and these alterations could have long-lasting effects on behavioral, cognitive and emotional development.

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Endocrine disrupters and female reproductive health

Cited by 193 publications

References 42 publications

Balancing the bipotential gonad between alternative organ fates: A new perspective on an old problem

Balancing the bipotential gonad between alternative organ fates: A new perspective on an old problem

Epigenetic reprogramming and imprinting in origins of disease

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on maternal odor conditioning in rat pups

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