Abstract
A large number of industrial chemical products (paints, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, pesticides) are suspected or proved to act as endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs). In the present survey of the literature, the main issue is to consider how to classify individual products as EDC or not. In this perspective, the different mechanisms leading to endocrine disruption are described: either by direct interaction with hormone receptors leading to its stimulation or inhibition, or by effect on endogenous hormone concentration through stimulation or inhibition of its synthesis or its degradation, or its binding to transport binding proteins. The present review takes particularly in consideration the effects of EDCs on the endocrine control of Reproduction in human and animals. Indeed, a number of EDCs can act as anti-androgens, anti-estrogens, and steroidogenic enzyme inhibitors that interfere with steroid action or production and thus can alter reproductive health.
Highlights
Many chemicals have been shown or suspected to exhibit endocrine disruption activity
Drugs and their metabolites are a source of possible or proved endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs). Their ED activity is a consequence of their normal therapeutic action considered as an EDC when peoples other than those taking them to cure their illness are unintentionally exposed to it
Endocrine Disruptor Compounds (EDCs) are molecules, natural or synthetic, that interfere with the endocrine network of vertebrates, provoking adverse dysregulation of the hormonally-controlled physiological parameters or functions [1], including reproduction
Summary
Many chemicals have been shown or suspected to exhibit endocrine disruption activity This means that these endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs) can, in various ways, interfere with the endocrine system of animals. EDCs potentially interfere with the production, secretion, metabolism, transport or peripheral action of endogenous hormones by means of their binding to hormone receptors. These substances display a variety of idiosyncratic biochemical effects, with complex and multifactorial mechanisms of disruption of endocrine systems. Particular emphasis is put on the reproductive system of vertebrates as this function is primordial in the survival and evolution of animal species In this scope it is important to differentiate endocrine disruption from reprotoxicity directly affecting reproduction steps (for example gametes production or survival). The cocktail effect and non-monotonous doseresponse effects are discussed in relation with differences between EDCs and hormones
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