“…Several studies have reported cortisol as a stress response towards organic pollutants from different classes in exposed fish e.g., [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ]. This is not surprising, as many organic pollutants act as endocrine disruptors, with direct effects on adrenal development and steroidogenesis [ 77 ], and may affect multiple biological systems, including cholesterol biosynthesis, cardiac and hematological function, peripheral and central nervous system function, stress response, and osmoregulatory and acid-base balance processes [ 78 , 79 ].…”