Endocrine disruptors and epigenetic transgenerational disease etiology

Abstract

Exposure to an environmental factor (e.g. endocrine disruptor) during embryonic gonadal sex determination appears to be epigenetically reprogram the male germ-line and subsequently promote transgenerational adult-onset disease. Disease phenotypes resulting from this epigenetic phenomenon include testis abnormalities, prostate disease, kidney disease, tumor development, and immune abnormalities. The epigenetic mechanism is hypothesized to involve the induction of new imprinted-like DNA sequences in the germ-line to transgenerationally transmit disease phenotypes. This epigenetic transgenerational disease mechanism provides a unique perspective from which to view adult onset disease and ultimately offers new insights into novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Figure 1

The postulated mechanism involved in endocrine disruptor actions during sex determination. Schematic of an F0 generation mother being transiently exposed to an endocrine disruptor, during embryonic sex determination and subsequent progeny through the male germ line, transgenerationally transmitting adult onset disease states.

Figure 2

The postulated mechanism involved in endocrine disruptor actions during sex determination to promote alterations in imprinted-like DNA sequences/genes in the male germ-line that then alter the transcriptions in developing organs to promote adult onset disease. E, embryonic day; P, postnatal day.