The importance of thyroid hormone sulfation during fetal development

Normal fetal development requires the presence of thyroid hormone. Disruption of any of the processes regulating the bioavailability of thyroid hormone may contribute to congenital anomalies. This thesis is focussed a) on the importance of thyroid hormone sulfation during fetal development, and b) on the potential sulfation-disrupting effects of environmental chemicals such as hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), because of potential pathogenetic consequences of disturbed thyroid hormone sulfation for the development of organs, such as lungs and brain. In this general introduction, first some information is given on the development of fetal thyroid status, and the importance of thyroid hormone for the development of organs such as the brain is discussed. Secondly, Ihyroid hormone synthesis, transport and metabolism, which are all processes regulating thyroid hormone bioavailability, are reviewed. Additionally, the role of sulfation in thyroid hormone metabOlism, especially during fetal development, is addressed. Furthermore, some general information on PCBs and other polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons is given, and their potential estrogen and thyroid hormone-disrupting effects are discussed. Finally, the outline of this thesis is presented.

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