Adverse Effects of Plasticizers and Pesticides on Female Reproductive Health

Central neuroendocrine system regulated by hypothalamus, controls most of the body homeostasis involving processes, like metabolism, reproduction, stress responsiveness, growth, and energy balance mainly through hormonal signals. Plasticizers and pesticides interact as endocrine disruptors with endocrine hormones causing adverse effects which tend to destroy the body homeostasis. Exposures to these compounds during critical developmental stages such as puberty and pregnancy (prenatal or perinatal) influence neurodevelopment, social behavior of the growing fetus and causes sexual dimorphism. Plasticizers and pesticides systemize its effects on adulthood either by mimicking, antagonizing, or having an impact on steroidal activity also along with hormonal disruptions. The aim of this review is to address some of the effects of plasticizers and pesticides exposure on female behavior. In this review, we are discussing the remedial nutritional choice to control the plasticizers and pesticides mediated endocrine disruption.

Neuroendocrine disorders

This chapter begins by covering the neuroendocrine system, then neuroendocrine tumours. Carcinoid syndrome, insulinomas, gastrinomas, glucagonomas, and VIPomas are all described, as well as other rare functional pancreatic NETs.

SARS-CoV-2 Psychiatric Sequelae: A Review of Neuroendocrine Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports of significant neurological and psychological symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. This narrative review is designed to examine the potential psychoneuroendocrine pathogenic mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 elicits psychiatric sequelae, as well as to posit potential pharmacologic strategies to address and reverse these pathologies. Following a brief overview of neurological and psychological sequelae from previous viral pandemics, we address mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 could enter or otherwise elicit changes in the CNS. We then examine the hypothesis that COVID-19-induced psychiatric disorders result from challenges to the neuroendocrine system, in particular the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axis and monoamine synthesis, physiological mechanisms that are only further enhanced by the pandemic-induced social environment of fear, isolation, and socioeconomic pressure. Finally, we evaluate several FDA-approved therapeutics in the context of COVID-19-induced psychoneuroendocrine disorders.

IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in Inflammatory Cachexia

Inflammation induces a wide response of the neuroendocrine system, which leads to modifications in all the endocrine axes. The hypothalamic–growth hormone (GH)–insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis is deeply affected by inflammation, its response being characterized by GH resistance and a decrease in circulating levels of IGF-1. The endocrine and metabolic responses to inflammation allow the organism to survive. However, in chronic inflammatory conditions, the inhibition of the hypothalamic–GH–IGF-1 axis contributes to the catabolic process, with skeletal muscle atrophy and cachexia. Here, we review the changes in pituitary GH secretion, IGF-1, and IGF-1 binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), as well as the mechanism that mediated those responses. The contribution of GH and IGF-1 to muscle wasting during inflammation has also been analyzed.

Histological and Histochemical Description of the Pancreas in the Adult Lesser Capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius)

The aim of this study was to describe histologically and histochemically the pancreas of three adult Hydrochoerus isthmius, attacked by feral dog in Buenavista, Córdoba, Colombia. A complete necropsy was performed and pancreatic fragments were collected and stored in 10% buffered formalin and Bouin liquid. Then, they were dehydrated, diaphanized and embedded in paraffin, stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin, P.A.S., Gomori trichrome, Grimelius and Masson Fontana modified. The H. isthmius pancreas presented a duodenal mesenteric pattern. The exocrine portion was described as a composite tubuloacinar gland. The endocrine portion of the pancreas was constituted by pancreatic islets of Langerhans and a diffuse neuroendocrine system. The histological and histochemical techniques used allowed us to identify the exocrine and endocrine portion of the organ. It is suggested to complement this study with some special techniques for the identification of specific endocrine cells, such as Beta, Alpha, Delta, Epsilon, PP or Gamma.

Neurobiological Implications of Parent–Child Emotional Availability: A Review

Parental influences are important for a child’s behavior, overall adjustment, as well as cognitive/language development. New research is exploring how relationships with parents can influence a child’s neurobiological functioning and development. In this systematic review, our first aim is to describe how the caregiving environment influences these aspects of child development. The second and main aim is to review and recommend that the concept (and measurement) of “emotional availability” may provide a new window in this continued exploration. Emotional availability (EA) refers to the capacity of a dyad to share an emotionally healthy relationship. The EA Scales assess this construct using a multi-dimensional framework, with a method to measure the affect and behavior of both the child and adult partner (caregiver). In this review, we first provide an overview of child development research, with regards to stress physiology, neuroendocrine system, genetics and epigenetics, and brain mechanisms. We then summarize the results of specific EA research in these areas, and propose a theoretical model integrating these constructs. Finally, we offer areas for future research in this area.

Estrogens and female developing brain: two sides of the coin

The review highlights current views and hypotheses on the pathogenetic role of natural and xenoestrogens in the disorders of programming of neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction, alaptation, and various forms of instinctive behavior (reproductive, eating, parental, etc.) in the perinatal period of development of the female brain. Catecholestrogens, which are formed in the brain as a result of sequential metabolic conversions of testosterone, are involved in exogenous or endogenous androgen-induced defeminization of hypothalamic control of ovulation in early female ontogenesis. In the research on female animals with a knocked out gene of alpha-fetoprotein, the protective role of this protein against the possible pathogenic effect of placental estrogens on the developing brain of female fetuses was proved. The damaging effect of phytoestrogens (genistein, coumestrol) in the early postnatal period on the formation of ovulatory cycles has been shown. Evidence from studies in rodents and other animal species, supported by clinical observations, indicate the potential damaging effect of exposure to low levels of environmental xenoestrogens on the developing brain, in particular on its sexual differentiation and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The potential hazard of the perinatal exposure to low doses of bisphenol A for the formation of estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus and amygdala of the female brain, sexual behavior and ovulation is discussed. Special attention is paid to the possible physiological role of natural estrogens in the formation of the female neuroendocrine system during puberty. It was concluded that in the early stages of female life, estrogens play a different role in the programming of the neuroendocrine system and behavior, depending on the period of individual development.

The Characteristic of Critical Genes in Neuroendocrine System and Their Regulation on Food Habit Transition and Metamorphosis of Veined Rapa Whelk Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846)

Metamorphosis is a critical developmental event in mollusks, and neuroendocrine system plays an essential role in this process. Rapana venosa is an economically important shellfish in China, but the artificial technology of R. venosa aquaculture is limited by metamorphosis. As a carnivorous gastropod, food habit transition makes the mechanism of R. venosa metamorphosis more complex. To investigate the changes in the neuroendocrine system and to reveal its role in regulating the food habit transition and metamorphosis of R. venosa, we cloned the cDNA sequences encoding 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (Rv-5HTR), nitric oxide synthetase (Rv-NOS) and cholecystokinin receptor (Rv-CCKR), and investigated their expression by quantitative real-time PCR analysis, and explore the spatio-temporal changes of 5-HT protein expression using Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. The expression of the three geens was significantly increased in the early intramembrane veliger stage, which indicates that the three genes are related to the development of digestive system. Additionally, expression of the three genes was decreased after metamorphosis, while Rv-NOS and Rv-CCKR were increasingly expressed in competent larvae, which may help the larvae find suitable environments and promote digestive system development for metamorphosis, and the result of 5-HT IHC analysis also reflects the development of neuroendocrine system. Furthermore, results show that CCK can effect the expression of digestive enzyme, NOS and 5-HT receptor. Finally, based on the present results, we hypothesized that CCK and CCK receptor may be critical regulatory factors of food habit transition and metamorphosis. These results might provide information on the development of neuroendocrine system of R. venosa, and new insight into the regulation of the food habit transition and metamorphosis of gastropods.