Endocrine disrupting compounds

Definition of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs): Endocrine disruptors are exogenous substances that alter function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub)populations . This is the common definition for Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs), other definitions can be discussed in the article

Notes

Endocrine systems are found in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animal species. The endocrine system is made up of glands which secrete hormones to body fluids, and receptor cells which detect and react to the hormones. The hormones act as chemical messengers. Hormones bind to cells that contain matching receptors in or on their surfaces, much like a key would fit into a lock.

Disruption of the endocrine system can occur in various ways. Some chemicals mimic a natural hormone, fooling the body into over-responding to the stimulus, or responding at inappropriate times. Other endocrine disruptors block the receptor site on a cell. Still others directly stimulate or inhibit the endocrine system and cause overproduction or underproduction of hormones. Chemicals that interact with endocrine pathways are often termed endocrine-active substances. They are considered endocrine disruptors when this interaction leads to adverse effects in an organism, its offspring or a population. Many of the best documented effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals concern reproduction and development.

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