Xenohormone

Xenohormones or environmental hormones are compounds produced outside of the human body which exhibit endocrine hormone-like properties. They may be either of natural origin, such as phytoestrogens, which are derived from plants, or of synthetic origin. These compounds can cause endocrine disruption by multiple mechanisms including acting directly on hormone receptors, affecting the levels of natural hormones in the body, and by altering the expression of hormone receptors.[1][2] The most commonly occurring xenohormones are xenoestrogens, which mimic the effects of estrogen. Other xenohormones include xenoandrogens (anabolic-androgenic steroids) and xenoprogesterones.[3][4] Xenohormones are used for a variety of purposes including contraceptive & hormonal therapies, and agriculture. However, exposure to certain xenohormones early in childhood development can lead to a host of developmental issues including infertility, thyroid complications, and early onset of puberty. Exposure to others later in life has been linked to increased risks of testicular, prostate, ovarian, and uterine cancers.

  1. ^ Danzo BJ (November 1998). "The effects of environmental hormones on reproduction" (PDF). Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 54 (11): 1249–1264. doi:10.1007/s000180050251. PMID 9849617. S2CID 11913134. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Yilmaz_2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Gross N (2008). "Important developments in the field of modified tocopherols/tocotrienols". European Journal of Endocrinology. Bioscientifica. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  4. ^ Whitaker SB, Singh BB, Weller RN, Bath KR, Loushine RJ (February 1999). "Sex hormone receptor status of the dental pulp and lesions of pulpal origin". Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics. 87 (2): 233–237. doi:10.1016/s1079-2104(99)70278-7. PMID 10052381.