C E N T E R   F O R   T H E   I N T E G R A T I V E   S T U D Y   O F   A N I M A L   B E H A V I O R
S P E A K E R   S E R I E S



Frederick S. vom Saal

Professor
Division of Biological Sciences
University of Missouri-Columbia


The Fragile Fetal Brain: Permanent Neurobehavioral Effects of Very Low Doses of Endogenous Steroids and Environmental Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals during Critical Periods in Brain and Reproductive Organ Development  video
Guest Lecture for Fall 1999 Graduate Seminar:  
Hormones, Behavior & Endocrine Discrupting Chemicals in the Environment


ABSTRACT:
 A variety of man-made chemicals encountered in the environment by animal and human populations - for example pesticides and chemicals in plastics and other products - are able to disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system by binding to steroid receptors in responsive cells and acting as agonists or antagonists of endogenous hormones. At this time, the best characterized endocrine-disrupting chemicals are those able to bind to estrogen receptors in cells. Estrogen is a critical hormone with regard to the development and adult functioning of the reproductive system in females. In addition, estrogen is now also recognized to play an important role in the normal development and adult functioning of male reproductive organs and in male psychosexual development. The developmental effects of steroids are typically irreversible and are referred to as "organizational," while effects in adults are typically reversible and are referred to as "activational." Until very recently, scientific interest in the effects of exposure of man and animals to manmade estrogenic chemicals has focused on the potential for effects on male fertility and gross reproductive disturbances such as visible malformation. Behavioral effects and functional changes in organs due to developmental exposure to these compounds have received less attention. The research I will describe focuses on effects of estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals on the development of the reproductive system and on reproductive behaviors. The emphasis is on consequences of exposure to low, environmentally relevant doses of chemicals, within the range of exposure of humans and animals.
 

© 1999 CISAB RELATED READING:
 Spearow, J.L., P. Doemeny, R. Sera, R. Leffler, and M. Barkley. 1999. Genetic variation in susceptibility to endocrine disruption by estrogen in mice. Science 285:1259-1261.

vom Saal, F.S. and D.M. Sheehan. 1998. Challenging risk assessment. Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy 13(3):11-18.


 
ONLINE RESOURCES:
Dr. vom Saal's Home Page  

© 1999 CISAB © 1999 CISAB © 1999 CISAB

OTHER FALL 1999 SPEAKERS:   David Crews   .  Theo Colborn   .  Lou Guillette   .  Victor Apanius  

SPEAKER SERIES
SPEAKER COMMENTS
CISAB VIDEO LIBRARY

|| research ||
  | Faculty
  | Adjunct Faculty
  | Postdoc/Scientist
  | Grad. Students
  | CISAB Alumni

 || academics ||
  | Graduate Program
  | Undergrad.Prog.
  | REU Program
  | Postdoc Info
 : Members Only

 || events ||
  | Speakers
  | Local Calendar
  | Conferences
  | CISAB Lectures

 || fun ! ||
  | DO Stuff !
  | GET Stuff !
  | LEARN Stuff !
  | Good Reads

 || search ||
  | Careers
  | Homework Help
  | Media Resource
  | Tech Problems?
  | Useful Links

 || c.i.s.a.b. ||
  | Contact
  | A.B. Bulletin
  | © Notice
  C E N T E R   F O R   T H E   I N T E G R A T I V E   S T U D Y   O F   A N I M A L   B E H A V I O R  
I N D I A N A   U N I V E R S I T Y    U S A