Perturbation neuro-endocrinienne de la reproduction

Abstract

In the last decades, reproductive health issues in wildlife and humans have been documented in several locations worldwide. This parallels the massive increase in chemical contamination due to the use of natural or man-made synthetic compounds with hormone disrupting activities, such as bisphenol A or phthalates. Widely used in the production of plastic, detergents, cosmetics and other day-life products, adverse effects of bisphenol A and phthalates on animal reproduction have been reported. The presentation will review the impact of these molecules on reproductive neuroendocrine functions and behavioral responses, which are tightly regulated by sex steroid hormones (testosterone, estrogens). These effects will be focused on the GnRH-kisspeptin system and sexual behavior. A particular attention will be also paid to low doses close to the environmental exposure, period of exposure (perinatal versus adult) and sex differences largely reported for the observed effects. The neural mechanisms underlying the effects of these endocrine disrupter compounds, in particular phthalates, will be also presented in light of new data obtained by combining proteomic and molecular analyses.