Developmental effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in wildlife and humans.

Abstract

Large numbers and large quantities of endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been released into the environment since World War II. Many of these chemicals can disturb development of the endocrine system and of the organs that respond to endocrine signals in organisms indirectly exposed during prenatal and/or early postnatal life; effects of exposure during development are permanent and irreversible. The risk to the developing organism can also stem from direct exposure of the offspring after birth or hatching. In addition, transgenerational exposure can result from the exposure of the mother to a chemical at any time throughout her life before producing offspring due to persistence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in body fat, which is mobilized during egg laying or pregnancy and lactation. Mechanisms underlying the disruption of the development of vital systems, such as the endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems, are discussed with reference to wildlife, laboratory animals, and humans.

Monitoring of selected estrogenic compounds and estrogenic activity in surface water and sediment of the Yellow River in China using combined chemical and biological tools

“…Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment have shown great interests in scientific community owing to their potential adverse effects in human and wildlife (Colborn et al, 1993;Stone, 1994). One of the most reported biological effects is fish feminization found in various rivers (Angus et al, 2002;Harries et al, 1997;Jobling et al, 1998;Kristensen et al, 2007;Xie et al, 2010).…”

Biological analysis of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in animal meats from the Pearl River Delta, China

“…Those chemical substances, originally thought to have little or no biological toxicity, are widely utilized in our daily lives and food products. Not until the first World Wildlife Federation Wingspread Conference held in 1994 were concerns about the endocrine disrupting (ED) effects of these chemicals articulated (Colborn et al, 1993;Soto et al, 2009). Since then, considerable numbers of studies have been conducted to reveal the health effects of ED chemicals (EDCs).…”

A Commentary on Association of variants in genes involved in environmental chemical metabolism and risk of cryptorchidism and hypospadias

“…5 Consistent with this notion, studies on laboratory animals have shown that intrauterine and lactational exposure to EEDs, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, affects the reproductive system of male offsprings. 1,5 The effect of EEDs on male reproductive organs appears to depend on the susceptibility of the individual, in addition to the dosage and types of EEDs and the developmental stages of exposure. Till date, several association studies have been performed for patients with CO and HS, in order to identify genetic variants that predispose individuals to these conditions.…”

“…4 Similarly, compromised male reproductive function has recently been documented in various wildlife species. 5 The rapid increase in the prevalence of undermasculinized genitalia indicates that intrauterine exposure to environmental chemicals with endocrine-disrupting properties (environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs)) has a role in the development of such abnormalities, because large quantities of EEDs have been released into the environment in recent decades. 5 Consistent with this notion, studies on laboratory animals have shown that intrauterine and lactational exposure to EEDs, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, affects the reproductive system of male offsprings.…”

“…5 The rapid increase in the prevalence of undermasculinized genitalia indicates that intrauterine exposure to environmental chemicals with endocrine-disrupting properties (environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs)) has a role in the development of such abnormalities, because large quantities of EEDs have been released into the environment in recent decades. 5 Consistent with this notion, studies on laboratory animals have shown that intrauterine and lactational exposure to EEDs, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, affects the reproductive system of male offsprings. 1, 5 The effect of EEDs on male reproductive organs appears to depend on the susceptibility of the individual, in addition to the dosage and types of EEDs and the developmental stages of exposure.…”