The ability of a species to reproduce successfully requires the careful orchestration of developmental processes during critical time points, particularly the late embryonic and early postnatal periods. This article begins with a brief presentation of the evidence for how gonadal steroid hormones exert these imprinting effects upon the morphology of sexually differentiated hypothalamic brain regions, the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications in adulthood. Then, I review the evidence that aberrant exposure to hormonally-active substances such as exogenous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), may result in improper hypothalamic programming, thereby decreasing reproductive success in adulthood. The field of endocrine disruption has shed new light on the discipline of basic reproductive neuroendocrinology through studies on how early life exposures to EDCs may alter gene expression via non-genomic, epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone acetylation. Importantly, these effects may be transmitted to future generations if the germline is affected via transgenerational, epigenetic actions. By understanding the mechanisms by which natural hormones and xenobiotics affect reproductive neuroendocrine systems, we will gain a better understanding of normal developmental processes, as well as develop the potential ability to intervene when development is disrupted.

中文翻译：

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发育程序和内分泌干扰物对生殖神经内分泌系统的影响

一个物种成功繁殖的能力需要在关键时间点仔细协调发育过程，尤其是胚胎晚期和出生后早期。本文首先简要介绍性腺类固醇激素如何对性分化的下丘脑大脑区域的形态施加这些印记效应的证据、这些效应的潜在机制以及它们对成年期的影响。然后，我回顾了异常暴露于荷尔蒙活性物质（例如外源性内分泌干扰化学物质 (EDC)）可能导致下丘脑编程不当，从而降低成年后生殖成功的证据。内分泌干​​扰领域通过研究早期暴露于 EDC 如何通过非基因组、表观遗传机制（包括 DNA 甲基化和组蛋白乙酰化）改变基因表达，为基础生殖神经内分泌学学科提供了新的思路。重要的是，如果生殖系受到跨代、表观遗传作用的影响，这些影响可能会传递给后代。通过了解天然激素和外源性物质影响生殖神经内分泌系统的机制，我们将更好地了解正常的发育过程，并在发育受到干扰时发展潜在的干预能力。如果生殖系受到跨代、表观遗传作用的影响，这些影响可能会传递给后代。通过了解天然激素和外源性物质影响生殖神经内分泌系统的机制，我们将更好地了解正常的发育过程，并在发育受到干扰时发展潜在的干预能力。如果生殖系受到跨代、表观遗传作用的影响，这些影响可能会传递给后代。通过了解天然激素和外源性物质影响生殖神经内分泌系统的机制，我们将更好地了解正常的发育过程，并在发育受到干扰时发展潜在的干预能力。