Endocrine Disruptors: Present Issues, Future Directions

摘要: A variety of natural products and synthetic chemicals, known collectively as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), mimic or interfere with the mechanisms that govern vertebrate reproductive development function. At present, research has focused on (i) morphological functional consequences EDCs; (ii) identifying determining relative potencies steroidal have effects; (iii) mechanism action EDCs at molecular level; (iv) recognition in "real life," contamination usually reflects mixtures EDCs. Future must examine interactive nature EDCs, particularly whether threshold concept developed traditional toxicological applies to these chemicals; when how act physiological level, they may organize neural substrates physiology behavior; various effects different species, individuals, even tissues; adaptations evolve populations continued exposure Several predictions are offered reflect new perspectives. Specifically, assumption will be found not apply because actions endogenous molecules (e.g., estrogen) critical development; hence, is automatically exceeded exposure. Behavior can compound magnify over successive generations; is, bioaccumulated inherited from mother only influence offspring but also offsprings' behavior adults. This adult behavior, turn, further sexual their own young. The sensitivity a species an individual related (individual)-typical concentrations circulating gonadal steroid hormones. Related this recent finding alternate forms putative receptors differentially distributed, thereby contributing been observed. Except extraordinary situations, often continue exist contaminated sites. One possible explanation for observation needs considered animals rapidly adapt level environment. It unlikely generations coincidentally become insensitive hormones fundamentally important biological regulators reproduction. Rather, adaptive alterations genes encode occur chronic allowing sex hormone receptor discriminate steroids