Endocrine Disrupting Contaminants—Beyond the Dogma

Abstract

Descriptions of endocrine disruption have largely been associated with wildlife and driven by observations documenting estrogenic, androgenic, antiandrogenic, and antithyroid actions. These actions, in response to exposure to ecologically relevant concentrations of various environmental contaminants, have now been established in numerous vertebrate species. However, many potential mechanisms and endocrine actions have not been studied. For example, the DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] metabolite, p,p′-DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene] is known to disrupt prostaglandin synthesis in the uterus of birds, providing part of the explanation for DDT-induced egg shell thinning. Few studies have examined prostaglandin synthesis as a target for endocrine disruption, yet these hormones are active in reproduction, immune responses, and cardiovascular physiology. Future studies must broaden the basic science approach to endocrine disruption, thereby expanding the mechanisms and endocrine end points examined. This goal should be accomplished even if the primary influence and funding continue to emphasize a narrower approach based on regulatory needs. Without this broader approach, research into endocrine disruption will become dominated by a narrow dogma, focusing on a few end points and mechanisms.

Macrophysiology for a changing world

“…Similarly, broad-scale tolerance studies are beginning to show that invasive marine species, such as bryozoans, demonstrate resistance to anti-fouling treatments, even to chronic exposure to these pollutants, so increasing the likelihood of unintentional dispersal (Piola & Johnston 2006). Finally, the global relationships between endocrine disrupting compounds, other pollutants and changes in food webs remain unclear despite their obvious significance (Guillette 2005). Macrophysiology has much to offer owing to its explicit large-scale comparative approach.…”

“…His words are prescient of the conclusions reached by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA;2005). The MA identified five major drivers of biodiversity loss and, in consequence, sources of concern for human livelihoods via their implications for and effects on ecosystem services: habitat alteration, climate change, invasive species, overexploitation, and pollution.…”

Antiandrogenic properties of parabens and other phenolic containing small molecules in personal care products

“…An increasing body of evidence reveals associations between various therapeutic/environmental compounds that act as endocrine disrupting substances (EDS) and many sex hormone sensitive diseases/ disorders (Colborn and Clement, 1992;Guillette, 2006;Massart et al, 2006). Exposure to these EDS can result in reduced fecundity, abnormal fetal development, delayed onset of puberty, disruption of ovarian function, abnormal lactation, early onset of reproductive senescence and cancer (Sharpe and Irvine, 2004;Buck Louis et al, 2006;Darbre, 2006;Guillette, 2006;Maffini et al, 2006). These adverse effects appear to be mediated largely through their ability to interfere with sex steroid action.…”

“…A large pool of literature exists for EDS with estrogenic potential and a large number of environmental hazards with estrogenic properties have been identified and classified (Guillette, 2006). While there are similar health concerns regarding androgenic EDS that can reduce sperm production, alter genital development and contribute to neurological syndromes in males, the identification and classification of these putative health hazards have progressed slowly.…”

Endocrine Disruptors Are a Novel Direction of Endocrinologic Scientific Investigation

“…Эти данные дают осно-вание полагать, что ДДТ не только стимулирует эстро-генную функцию яичников и коры надпочечников, но и пролонгирует ее. Существует мнение, что эстроге-ноподобное действие эндокринных дизрапторов может быть связано с усилением активности фермента арома-тазы, превращающей андрогены в эстрогены [19,20], но этот возможный механизм действия ДДТ не изучен. Что касается репродуктивной функции, регулируемой поло-выми стероидными гормонами, то однозначного заклю-чения относительно влияния на нее ДДТ сделать нельзя.…”