User:Rimanol/Xenohormone

Article body
Uses Section

(Xenohormones can come from a variety of sources, both natural and man-made. Man-made xenoestrogens are often found in cosmetic products, some foods, certain pharmaceuticals, plastic products, flame retardants, and pesticides. Naturally occurring xenoestrogens include phytoestrogens (estrogen-like compounds from plants) and mycoestrogens (estrogen-like compounds from fungi).[citation needed]

While natural xenohormones exist, there are not as many compounds found in nature which are capable of interacting with human androgen receptors, so humans are most likely to come into contact with man-made xenoandrogens by taking anabolic steroids or through pollutants which contain xenoandrogens. "Organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs)" are several pesticides known to contain xenoandrogens.) move to 'Uses" section ·Contraceptives and Hormone Therapies

'''There are many alternatives to prevent pregnancy to stop using oral contraceptives that use xenohormones such as Dropspirenone and Ethinyl Estroidal. Non-hormonal birth control includes, but not subject to the use of a: diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, copper IUD, spermicide, vaginal gel, male condom, and female condom .'''

Endocrinology Section

When present in excessive amounts within the human body, xenohormones can cause a host of health issues due to their disruption of the endocrine system. The name given to these exogenous (coming from an external source) hormones is “endocrine disruptors,” due to their tendency to mimic the behaviors of naturally produced bodily hormones. '''Their ability to mimic is due to the structural similarity of xenohormones to hormones produced naturally in the body. (citation?) This similarity allows for xenohormones to act on hormone receptors either as an agonist or antagonist. Agonists activate a receptor by binding to the ligand-binding domain of the receptor. Antagonists inhibit the activation of a receptor by preventing the binding of a ligand to its receptor. In this way, xenohormones will act as an endocrine disruptor by increasing or decreasing the activation of hormone receptors in the body.'''

Xenohormones can often act on multiple hormone receptor types and enact multiple different effects.

--Possibly put in individual headings for each type of xenohormone (xenoestrogen, xenoandrogen, etc) --

Effect on Humans Section

Environmental Risks Section

Under this action plan, the EPA is considering listing BPA as a substance that may present a significant risk to the environment on the Toxic Substances Control Act Concern List. -- possible new section: difficulties with identification and quantification in ecosystems/methods to detect --

The use of xenohormones in both agriculture and industry raises concerns about their effect on the environment and public health. Xenohormones have been observed to contaminate food and water through the use of pesticides, hormone treatments in livestock, and plastic packing such as water bottles.

Effects on Wildlife
In addition to posing health threats for humans, EDCs and xenohormones also pose health risks to wildlife. Common source of EDCs in the environment are agricultural pesticides, which are often effective due to their effects on the endocrine systems of pest species. For example, PCBs can interrupt animal fetal development, cause changes in an animal's response to stress, and cause thyroid and immune function diseases. Plastics specifically pose a commendable environment threat due to the fact that many of them do not decompose. Xenohormones in plastic litter have the potential to contaminate natural water sources and expose both humans and wildlife to a variety of different EDCs.

Regulations
Because Xenohormones such as BPA have demonstrated health concerns for humans and animals, both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and FDA have conducted research and issued statements and regulations to reduce their impact on public health and the environment. In March 2010, the EPA published its Bisphenol A (BPA) Action Plan, which details measures to reduce the impact of BPA on aquatic species. Under this action plan, the EPA is considering listing BPA as a substance that may present a significant risk to the environment on the Toxic Substances Control Act Concern List.