Gene expression, hormones affecting

In vivo studies in animals suggest that endosulfan may disrupt normal reproductive hormone levels in male animals, but that it is not an endocrine disrupter in females. Persistent depressed testicular testosterone was seen in male rats after intermediate duration oral exposures to endosulfan. In ovariectomized female rats, orally administered endosulfan did not induce normal development of female reproductive tissues, and in female mice and immature female rats, acute parenteral exposure to endosulfan did not affect several endocrine-related end points. In vitro studies have evaluated endosulfan for estrogen receptor (ER) and cytosolic protein binding affinity, ER-mediated reporter gene expression, estrogenic induction of cell proliferation, and alteration of relative abundance of active estradiol metabolites. Overall, in vitro evidence in favor of endosulfan estrogenicity indicates relatively weak potency compared to 17[3-estradiol. Apparently contradictory results were reported in different... 

Hormonal actions on target neurons are classified in terms of cellular mechanisms of action. Hormones act either via cell-surface or intracellular receptors. Peptide hormones and amino-acid derivatives, such as epinephrine, act on cell-surface receptors that do such things as open ion-channels, cause rapid electrical responses and facilitate exocytosis of hormones or neurotransmitters. Alternatively, they activate second-messenger systems at the cell membrane, such as those involving cAMP, Ca2+/ calmodulin or phosphoinositides (see Chs 20 and 24), which leads to phosphorylation of proteins inside various parts of the target cell (Fig. 52-2A). Steroid hormones and thyroid hormone, on the other hand, act on intracellular receptors in cell nuclei to regulate gene expression and protein synthesis (Fig. 52-2B). Steroid hormones can also affect cell-surface events via receptors at or near the cell surface. 

Reproductive development and function depend on endocrine communication throughout the mammalian life cycle. Protein and steroid hormones, growth factors and other signalling molecules affect gene expression and protein synthesis in target cells of different tissues. In particular, fetal development, development of the reproductive tract,... 

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