Endocrine disruptors of sex hormone activities

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2022 Jan 1:539:111415. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111415. Epub 2021 Jul 30.

Abstract

Sex hormones, such as androgens, estrogens and progestins are naturally occurring compounds that tightly regulate endocrine systems in a variety of living organisms. Uncontrolled environmental exposure to these hormones or their biological and synthetic mimetics has been widely documented. Furthermore, water contaminants penetrate soil to affect flora, fauna and ultimately humans. Because endocrine systems evolved to respond to very small changes in hormone levels, the low levels found in the environment cannot be ignored. The combined actions of sex hormones with glucocorticoids and other nuclear receptors disruptors creates additional level of complexity including the newly described "dynamic assisted loading" mechanism. We reviewed the extensive literature pertaining to world-wide detection of these disruptors and created a detailed Table on the development and current status of methods used for their analysis.

Keywords: Biological activity; Endocrine disrupting compounds; Hormones; Soil; Water.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endocrine Disruptors / adverse effects*
  • Endocrine Disruptors / analysis
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / adverse effects
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical