Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
08:28
Assessment of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds on the Development of Vertebrate Neural Network Function Using Multi-electrode Arrays
Published on: April 26, 2018
[Fetal exposure to endocrine disruptors]
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Fetal exposure to endocrine disruptors like dioxins and BPA is common in Japan, detected in umbilical cord samples. These environmental chemicals can subtly disrupt hormonal development, posing potential risks to human health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Endocrinology
- Toxicology
Context:
- Endocrine disruptors interfere with hormone regulation.
- Adverse effects of endocrine disruptors on human development can be subtle.
- Fetal and early-life exposure are critical windows for potential harm.
Purpose:
- To investigate fetal exposure to endocrine disruptors in Japan.
- To analyze umbilical cord and cord serum samples for various endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
- To summarize the current status of fetal exposure to endocrine disruptors globally.
Summary:
- Multiple endocrine disruptors, including dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol, and phytoestrogens, were detected in Japanese umbilical cords and cord sera.
- Analysis confirmed the presence of a wide range of environmental contaminants with known or suspected endocrine-disrupting properties.
- This indicates significant in-utero exposure in the studied population.
Impact:
- Highlights the widespread presence of endocrine disruptors in the prenatal environment.
- Underscores the need for further research into the subtle, long-term health effects of fetal exposure.
- Informs public health strategies and environmental policies aimed at reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Related Concept Videos
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
01:36Types of Toxins
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
01:22Target Cell Response to Hormones
Hormones intricately bind to receptors on the surface or within target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses.
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
01:29The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is an extensive network of glands – organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals that control many bodily functions, that secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers that play essential roles in regulating various bodily functions. These hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. They require specific receptors to convey signals to cells possessing these corresponding receptors. This complex signaling mechanism ensures that every...