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Pollutants with androgen‐disrupting potency
Author(s) -
Daxenberger Andreas
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
european journal of lipid science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.614
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1438-9312
pISSN - 1438-7697
DOI - 10.1002/1438-9312(200202)104:2<124::aid-ejlt124>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - vinclozolin , methoxychlor , androgen receptor , dieldrin , androgen , endocrine disruptor , biology , endocrine system , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , toxicology , pesticide , hormone , prostate cancer , ecology , cancer , genetics
In the 1980s observations of impaired fertility of animals living in aquatic ecosystems of highly industrialized regions were reported for the first time. In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that a chemical that impairs normal embryonic development and disrupts normal reproductive functions in adulthood is an “endocrine disruptor” (ED). First systematic data revealed that some EDs act through mimicking or antagonizing the physiological functions of estrogens. Later endocrine disrupting pathways were described which affect the signal cascade of the androgen receptor. We have learnt in the mean time that it is not always possible to attach each ED to a specific mode of action (estrogenic, anti‐estrogenic, androgenic, antiandrogenic, or others). Today the ED discussion has reached man, whose genital tract possibly is affected by EDs ( e.g . declining sperm counts, hypospadias, cryptorchism, testicular, and prostate cancer). The list of androgen‐disrupting chemicals identified to date comprises chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides like DDT, DDE, dieldrin, methoxychlor and lindan, fungicides currently used like vinclozolin and benomyl, and widely used herbicides like linuron, diuron and atrazin. Many EDs are industrial chemicals or pesticides of aromatic structure, but it is still not possible to predict their binding to the androgen receptor based on their chemical structure. The substances have low solubility in water and avidly bind to soils and sediments. If no degradation is possible, accumulation and long persistence in the environment is observed. Due to their lipophilic character persistent chemicals are accumulated in the adipose tissue of vertebrates. The risk evaluation of putative EDs has to regard the endocrine‐disrupting activity as well as the fate in the environment ( e.g . accumulation, chemical and microbial stability).