You might vaguely remember hearing the term in science lessons way back when, but if not it could be as mysterious as a planet in a recently discovered solar system. But … the endocrine system is actually one of the most complex and important systems in the entire body, housing some of the most important chemicals that the body needs for optimal health and vitality.
Think of it as the backstage crew of the body, working tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly. But don't let the scientific jargon scare you off – we’re going to break it down into bite-sized pieces, and cover the common sources that disrupt this vital system and the simple ways that we can avoid - or at least minimise - coming into contact with them.
Imagine your horse’s inner engine is a bustling city, and the endocrine system is the network of posties and couriers delivering everything you need to ensure everything runs smoothly. These messengers, or hormones, come from a network of glands located throughout the body, each with its own special role. From regulating metabolism to managing stress, they're the unsung heroes of the body’s health.
You’ll no doubt recognise some of the glands names - the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pineal body, the reproductive organs (ovaries and testes), and the pancreas, which has both hormone production and digestion duties.
Each gland produces different hormones that have different roles, i.e. regulating metabolism, growth, reproduction, sweating, stress response, and so much more. The pancreas, for example, secretes insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar, and the thyroid produces hormones for regulating metabolism. The pituitary gland regulates physiological processes such as growth, but for those of us familiar with Cushing’s/PPID, we’ll know the pituitary gland more for producing the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
The reproductive cycle is also influenced by pituitary hormones. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) act on the ovaries in mares and the testes in stallions. In mares, FSH stimulates the development and maturation of the follicle leading up to ovulation. In males, FSH aids in sperm maturation. LH plays a major role in the production of sex hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen in both sexes.
So what triggers the hormones to be released? Simple – a stimulus, literally, which triggers a response in the brain. Depending on whether the endocrine system is functioning happily in sync with the body will determine the levels of hormone production and whether it will deliver a positive or negative experience. Which leads us nicely to the unfriendlies which can upset the balance completely.
Now to the bad guys – endocrine disruptors, or EDCs; chemicals that throw a spanner in the works of our endocrine system.
EDCs are found pretty much everywhere, lurking in our environment, food, and even health products. They infiltrate our bodies through various avenues - inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, so they can be difficult to avoid.
How do they wreak havoc? By meddling with hormone production in three primary ways:
• Blocking pathways between natural hormones and their receptors.
• Triggering abnormal hormone production - either excessive or insufficient.
• Mimicking natural hormones, throwing the body's responses out of whack.
EDCs have led to negative effects on our domestic animals as well as wildlife, a fact that is well-documented. Pesticides and herbicides often contain endocrine-disruptor chemicals that then leach into the soil, water, and air, causing harm to animals.
The most famous example is DDT, an insecticide that causes several bird-of-prey species to lay eggs with extremely thin shells. This led to a dramatic decrease in their population when DDT was heavily used in the agriculture industry.
As I type, there’s a growing body of scientific research pointing to a link between endocrine disruptors and adverse health outcomes, albeit on human health only at this time, but all can translate directly to our horses:
• A reduced ability to handle stress.
• Obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• Decreased sexual health, including decreases in sperm count.
• Negative neurological and behavioural changes.
• Endometriosis.
• Cardiovascular issues.
The bottom line is the more we’re learning about EDCs, the more we’re realising just how destructive they can be for all of us, whether human, our horses or wildlife.
Similarly, endocrine disruptors are all over the place - it’s impossible to eliminate all contact with them, but thankfully, there are plenty of ways to reduce contact. For a comprehensive inventory , have a look at the Environmental Working Group’s list of Dirty Dozen Endocrine Disruptors. Again, this research is based on human studies but many areas can be correlated with equine health as well, as indicated below by an asterisk *.
In other words, organic is always going to be best, but if you can’t then feed whole/minimally processed foods, and avoid plastic bottles/pots/tubs whenever possible.
Safeguarding our horses' (and our own) health requires a proactive approach to minimise exposure to endocrine disruptors. By making simple yet impactful changes in our daily habits and choices, we can significantly reduce the risk of adverse health effects associated with these harmful chemicals.
Whether it's opting for organic foods and products, avoiding plastics with known endocrine-disrupting chemicals, choosing sustainable alternatives, or carrying out a regular detox, every action counts to minimise exposure to endocrine disruptors.
The takeaway? The endocrine system is like a finely tuned orchestra, with hormones keeping time from the musical score. Look after it and it'll keep the body singing in tune for years to come 😉
The content in this website is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from our own research over many years, together with clients' experiences and our own personal experience over 5-decades of horse care. This website is about enlightening towards a more naturopathic approach to support a healthy lifestyle for our horses. Any information contained within is not intended as a substitute or replacement of veterinary or other professional advice, and we would encourage everyone to make their own equine healthcare decisions based upon their own research.
* Trading Standards EC Feed Hygiene Regulation (183/2005), Registration No. GB280/4203
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