Endocrine Disruption Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals The Hormones Androgens Corticoids Estrogens Progestins Thyroid Actions Docking: Receptor Binding Delivery: Transport Proteins Disposal: Metabolic Changes Dynamics: Interactions Wildlife Effects Human Effects Sources Phytoestrogens Gathering Evidence What Does ED Mean? Endocrine System Hormone Glands Target Cells Types of Hormones Feedback Loops Glossary

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals These terms describe endocrine disrupters, the synthetic chemicals and natural plant compounds that may affect the endocrine system (the communication system of glands, hormones and cellular receptors that control the body's internal functions). Many of these substances have been associated with developmental, reproductive and other health problems in wildlife and laboratory animals. Some experts suggest these compounds may affect humans in similar ways... learn more about endocrine disrupting chemicals... Estrogens Explainer Estrogens are a group of chemically similar steroid hormones. Steroids are a special kind of fat molecule with a four-ringed, carbon atom backbone, or core, like their cholesterol predecessor. A series of chemical reactions, spurred by proteins called enzymes, remove and add groups to cholesterol's core. These actions transform it first into the steroid pregnenolone and then into androgens. Special aromatase enzymes convert androgens into the estrogens estradiol and estrone... learn more about estrogens... Estrogens and Estrogen-mimicking Compounds Hormone receptors are large, flexible protein molecules that interlock with hormones and read and respond to their signals. Compatible structures facilitate binding between the two - like a baseball in a glove - but the fit is not restrictive, perfect, stiff, or permanent. Hormone and receptor both bend and flex, slightly changing shape to accommodate the other - similar to two hands coming together in a handshake... learn more about hormone receptors... Featured Definition: Endocrine Disruption Process by which an exogenous substance causes adverse health effects consequent to changes in endocrine function... more terms and words in our e.hormone glossary...