Prevalent Glucocorticoid and Androgen Activity in US Water Sources

Contamination of the environment with endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is a major health concern. The presence of estrogenic compounds in water and their deleterious effect are well documented. However, detection and monitoring of other classes of EDCs is limited. Here we utilize a high-through...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScientific reports Vol. 2; no. 1; p. 937
Main Authors Stavreva, Diana A., George, Anuja A., Klausmeyer, Paul, Varticovski, Lyuba, Sack, Daniel, Voss, Ty C., Schiltz, R. Louis, Blazer, Vicki S., Iwanowicz, Luke R., Hager, Gordon L.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Nature Publishing Group UK 06.12.2012
Nature Publishing Group
Subjects
631/1647/245/2225
631/61/168
631/80/86/388
704/172/169/895
Androgen receptors
Androgens
Androgens - analysis
Androgens - metabolism
Animals
Base Sequence
Cell Line, Tumor
Contamination
DNA Primers
Endocrine disruptors
Fish
Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids - analysis
Glucocorticoids - metabolism
Human populations
Humanities and Social Sciences
Mice
multidisciplinary
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Receptors, Androgen - metabolism
Receptors, Glucocorticoid - metabolism
Science
Steroid hormones
Transcription
United States
Water analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism
Water pollution
Water sampling
Wildlife
Xenoestrogens
United States
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Summary:Contamination of the environment with endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is a major health concern. The presence of estrogenic compounds in water and their deleterious effect are well documented. However, detection and monitoring of other classes of EDCs is limited. Here we utilize a high-throughput live cell assay based on sub-cellular relocalization of GFP-tagged glucocorticoid and androgen receptors (GFP-GR and GFP-AR), in combination with gene transcription analysis, to screen for glucocorticoid and androgen activity in water samples. We report previously unrecognized glucocorticoid activity in 27% and androgen activity in 35% of tested water sources from 14 states in the US. Steroids of both classes impact body development, metabolism and interfere with reproductive, endocrine and immune systems. This prevalent contamination could negatively affect wildlife and human populations.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/srep00937