Effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on gonad development: Mechanistic insights from fish and mammals

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 204; no. Pt B; p. 112040
• Main Authors: Delbes, G., Blázquez, M., Fernandino, J.I., Grigorova, P., Hales, B.F., Metcalfe, C., Navarro-Martín, L., Parent, L., Robaire, B., Rwigemera, A., Van Der Kraak, G., Wade, M., Marlatt, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.03.2022
• Subjects: Animals; Development; Endocrine disrupting chemicals; Endocrine Disruptors - toxicity; Female; Fish; Fishes; Gonadal differentiation; Gonads; Male; Mammals; Ovary; Reproduction; Sex determination; Testis; Gonadal differentiation; Testis; Ovary; Sex determination; Development; Fish; Mammals; Endocrine disrupting chemicals
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112040

Over the past century, evidence has emerged that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have an impact on reproductive health. An increased frequency of reproductive disorders has been observed worldwide in both wildlife and humans that is correlated with accidental exposures to EDCs and their increased production. Epidemiological and experimental studies have highlighted the consequences of early exposures and the existence of key windows of sensitivity during development. Such early in life exposures can have an immediate impact on gonadal and reproductive tract development, as well as on long-term reproductive health in both males and females. Traditionally, EDCs were thought to exert their effects by modifying the endocrine pathways controlling reproduction. Advances in knowledge of the mechanisms regulating sex determination, differentiation and gonadal development in fish and rodents have led to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of early exposure to EDCs on reproduction. In this manuscript, we review the key developmental stages sensitive to EDCs and the state of knowledge on the mechanisms by which model EDCs affect these processes, based on the roadmap of gonad development specific to fish and mammals. •There is widespread evidence of an early impact of EDCs during gonad development.•The early impact of EDCs may have long-term consequences on reproduction.•Common mechanisms of EDCs in fish and mammals are related to steroid homeostasis.•A number of pathways have been associated with the gonadal damage induced by EDCs.•Urgent need to better understand the impact of EDCs on gonad development.