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Questions and Answers
What are the neurological effects observed in infants due to maternal exposure to pesticides and organic compounds during pregnancy?
What are the neurological effects observed in infants due to maternal exposure to pesticides and organic compounds during pregnancy?
Neurological and behavioral abnormalities in infants.
What specific congenital issues were noted in children born near fracking sites?
What specific congenital issues were noted in children born near fracking sites?
Increased incidence of congenital heart disease.
How did methyl mercury contribute to birth defects in the Minamata bay incident?
How did methyl mercury contribute to birth defects in the Minamata bay incident?
Methyl mercury bioaccumulated in fish, leading to pregnant women consuming contaminated seafood, resulting in brain damage and blindness in infants.
Explain the significance of studying fracking chemicals in relation to fertility in animals.
Explain the significance of studying fracking chemicals in relation to fertility in animals.
What types of endocrine-disrupting compounds were found in water samples taken from fracking sites?
What types of endocrine-disrupting compounds were found in water samples taken from fracking sites?
What are the main characteristics of babies born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
What are the main characteristics of babies born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
During what critical period is the fetus most susceptible to teratogens like alcohol?
During what critical period is the fetus most susceptible to teratogens like alcohol?
How does retinoic acid (RA) act as a teratogen during pregnancy?
How does retinoic acid (RA) act as a teratogen during pregnancy?
What are the potential outcomes for fetuses exposed to high levels of retinoic acid during pregnancy?
What are the potential outcomes for fetuses exposed to high levels of retinoic acid during pregnancy?
What is the link between glyphosate herbicides and cranial neural crest defects?
What is the link between glyphosate herbicides and cranial neural crest defects?
What behavioral and physical symptoms are associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?
What behavioral and physical symptoms are associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?
Why can fetal exposure to alcohol cause permanent brain damage before a mother realizes she is pregnant?
Why can fetal exposure to alcohol cause permanent brain damage before a mother realizes she is pregnant?
How does the genetic makeup of a fetus influence the effects of alcohol exposure?
How does the genetic makeup of a fetus influence the effects of alcohol exposure?
What are some potential effects of BPA exposure on fetal development?
What are some potential effects of BPA exposure on fetal development?
Describe the role of thalidomide in pregnancy outcomes during the early 1960s.
Describe the role of thalidomide in pregnancy outcomes during the early 1960s.
How might nicotine affect fetal development according to studies on teratogens?
How might nicotine affect fetal development according to studies on teratogens?
What are some heavy metals known to act as teratogens and their potential effects on fetal development?
What are some heavy metals known to act as teratogens and their potential effects on fetal development?
What environmental influences can impact pregnancy outcomes?
What environmental influences can impact pregnancy outcomes?
What specific reproductive health issues can arise from DES exposure?
What specific reproductive health issues can arise from DES exposure?
How did the use of BPA expand from medicine to industry?
How did the use of BPA expand from medicine to industry?
What was the initial purpose of DES before its harmful effects were recognized?
What was the initial purpose of DES before its harmful effects were recognized?
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Study Notes
Teratology
- The study of birth defects that occur during embryonic development.
Teratogens
- Agents responsible for birth defects, affecting development during critical periods.
Human Teratogens
- Alcohol:
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Characterized by small head size, indistinct philtrum, narrow vermillion, smaller brain size and development.
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Includes physical FAS symptoms, behavioral, and mental abnormalities.
- Alcohol effects on fetus depend on genetic makeup, maternal alcohol metabolism, and timing of exposure.
- Even low alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal brain cell loss.
- Damage can occur before pregnancy is known.
- Retinoic Acid (RA):
- Vitamin A derivative crucial for axis, jaw, and heart formation.
- Pharmaceutical form (13-cis-retinoic acid) treats severe cystic acne.
- High doses in pregnant animals cause birth defects.
- Human studies show abnormalities like absent/defective ears, jaws, cleft palate, and cardiovascular defects.
- Affects neural crest cell migration, leading to birth defects.
- Glyphosate-based herbicides (e.g., Roundup) can increase RA production, causing neural crest defects in animal models.
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES):
- Synthetic estrogen previously used to prevent miscarriages.
- Exposed millions of pregnant women and fetuses between 1947 and 1971.
- No proven benefits, banned in 1971 due to reproductive health issues.
- Causes reproductive tract abnormalities, infertility, and cancer in offspring.
- Bisphenol A (BPA):
- Synthetic analog of estrogen used in plastic production.
- Leaches from food containers, exposing humans through food and drink.
- Found in high levels in urine samples, indicating widespread exposure.
- May cause reproductive problems, cancer, and behavioral abnormalities.
- Crosses the placenta and affects animal development.
- Linked to increased miscarriages and reproductive organ abnormalities.
- Thalidomide:
- Mild sedative used for morning sickness.
- Found to be a potent teratogen, causing severe limb defects in newborns.
- Pesticides & Organic Compounds:
- Ingestion during pregnancy can cause neurological and behavioral abnormalities.
- Minamata Disease: Mercury poisoning from contaminated seafood caused brain damage and blindness in Japanese infants.
- Fracking Chemicals:
- Diverse chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing can contaminate groundwater.
- Estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and antiandrogenic compounds found in water samples.
- Linked to reproductive problems in animals and possible congenital heart defects in humans.
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