Tertiary and postnatal medicine focuses on teratogen exposure from all levels of development, from the genetic level to the developmental level.
Teratogen exposure refers to any known or suspected risk factor for developing a disease that causes abnormality in the development of the organism through various stages of life.
Teratology is an umbrella term for the study of developmental abnormalities of tissue and cellular growth. It’s often described as the field of science that includes non-invasive developmental abnormalities, including abnormal birth development, fetal malformations, etc., and the study of normal human development, but broader than that, including other animals and plants.
Teratogenic exposure can come from many different sources. It’s typically considered to be from an external agent, though recent studies suggest that endocrine disrupting compounds can have teratogenic effects. Some scientists believe that the endocrine system may play a role in this.
A common cause of teratogen exposure is pesticides and herbicides, both of which are used extensively around the world.
Most studies on the effects of pesticides and herbicides have been on plant and animal species. But even inside animals, exposure can cause harm. For example, the herbicide paraquat is commonly found in lawns, because of its ability to mimic certain chemicals in plants. When exposed to this herbicide, plants can develop cancerous growths. Studies have also shown that parabens, a type of preservative commonly used in plastic, may also cause teratogenic effects.
Teratogenic exposure has also been shown to occur from environmental contaminants, such as lead.
In fact, lead is now banned in the United States for most residential use. But when it enters water supplies, it can remain in the system for years and lead to increased toxicity over time. Even the smallest amount of lead can have adverse effects over time, leading to developmental abnormalities and organ toxicity.
Exposure to drugs can also lead to teratogen exposure. A lotion containing the antihistamine diphenhydramine is a common drug used to treat allergies and asthma, and its long-term use can cause a serious side effect called cetirizineural toxicity.
The FDA is concerned about teratogen exposure caused by chemicals, as well.
A chemical called triclosan is used to kill bacteria, and has been in the public drinking water system since the 1970s. This compound can cause reproductive and developmental problems in amphibians and was banned in the U.S. in 1999, after scientists were unable to determine its effect on amphibian fetuses.
There are other sources of environmental toxins that can cause teratogen exposure, although the best way to avoid this is to avoid exposure to a particular source of teratogen. While the scientific basis for the link between a teratogen and disease is not fully understood, it is likely that exposure to a variety of chemicals, whether they are organic or inorganic, can result in the development of defects in the body.
In addition to environmental exposure, there are certain types of drugs that can lead to teratogen formation. Drugs that act to increase the activity of the thyroid gland can cause hormonal imbalances, and in turn can lead to malformation and abnormality.
A drug called prednisone is often used to treat an asthmatic flare-up, and while it doesn’t cause malformations in humans, it has been associated with increased fertility in some animals.
Certain drugs, such as antidepressants, can also cause an increase in the production of hormones. These drugs, like prednisone, are used to treat depression, and in rare cases, have been linked with a condition called Klinefelter’s Syndrome. in animals.
Animals that are genetically prone to malformation often show signs of the condition, such as tumors, deformities, and deformity-like abnormalities on their skin and bones. If these animals are exposed to drugs, the abnormalities may continue to develop as they get older, and may pose a risk to their health and the safety of the people who are around them.
While there is no doubt that teratogenic drugs can cause harm to animals, it is also important to note that many medications can cause the opposite. Many medications can help animals develop and maintain normal health and may not cause teratogenic effects.