Endocrine system
Definition of Endocrine system:
The endocrine system is the system by which hormones produced by specialized cells and organs regulate physiological processes throughout the body. Hormones act as chemical messengers, generally being released into body fluids and acting on target cells that possess specific receptors.[1]
This is the common definition for Endocrine system, other definitions can be discussed in the article
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Endocrine regulation
Hormones regulate many essential physiological processes, including reproduction and sexual development, growth, metabolism, energy balance, stress responses and water and salt balance. Their effects depend on binding to specific receptors in or on target cells.
Hormone production and release are often controlled by feedback mechanisms. In vertebrates, several important endocrine functions are regulated through interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and peripheral endocrine organs such as the thyroid, adrenal glands and gonads. Other hormones respond more directly to physiological conditions; for example, insulin secretion is strongly influenced by blood glucose concentration.
Marine invertebrates also possess hormonal and neuroendocrine signaling systems, regulating processes such as reproduction, development, growth and molting. However, endocrine systems differ greatly among invertebrate groups and are much less completely understood than those of vertebrates.[2]
Endocrine disruption
Environmental chemicals can interfere with endocrine signaling by mimicking or blocking natural hormones or by altering hormone synthesis, transport, metabolism or regulation. The best-studied mechanisms involve estrogen, androgen and thyroid signaling and steroidogenesis, although other endocrine pathways can also be affected.[3] See Endocrine disruption by marine pollutants.
Related articles
- Biomonitoring of pollution impacts in the marine environment
- Biomarkers for assessing marine pollution effects
- Endocrine disruption by marine pollutants
- Health biomarkers in marine mammals
- Coastal pollution and impacts
- Biomarker
- Bioindicator
- Endocrine disrupting compounds
References
- ↑ National Center for Biotechnology Information (US). Genes and Disease. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information; Glands and Hormones.
- ↑ Pinto, P.I.S., Miglioli, A., LaLone, C.A., Baumann, L., Baynes, A., Blanc-Legendre, M., Cancio, I., Cousin, X., Dang, Z., Dumollard, R., Ford, A.T., Green, C., Iguchi, T., Kearney, P., Knigge, T., Minier, C., Monsinjon, T., Monteiro, M.S., Sturve, J., Watanabe, H., Yamamoto, H., Ankley, G., Power, D.M. and Katsiadaki, I. 2026. Prioritising research on endocrine disruption in the marine environment: a global perspective. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 101(2): 848-868
- ↑ OECD, 2025. Report on the State of the Science to Address Endocrine Disrupters Under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling. OECD Series on Testing and Assessment No. 427.
