Xeno-oestrogens and their impact on environment

• Published in: Annales de médecine vétérinaire Vol. 145; no. 2
• Main Authors: Meurens, F, Delaunois, A, Beckers, J.F, Gustin, P. (Universite de Liege, Sart Tilman (Belgium). Faculte de medecine veterinaire)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: 01.03.2000
• Subjects: AGONISTAS; AGONISTE; AGONISTS; ANTAGONISTAS DE LAS HORMONAS; ANTAGONISTE D'HORMONE; BIFENILOS POLICLORADOS; CADENA ALIMENTARIA; CHAINE ALIMENTAIRE; COMPOSE ORGANOCHLORE; COMPOSE PHENOLIQUE; COMPUESTO ORGANICO DEL CLORO; COMPUESTOS FENOLICOS; DIOXINAS; DIOXINE; DIOXINS; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT; ESTROGENOS; FOOD CHAINS; FURANE; FURANOS; FURANS; HORMONE ANTAGONISTS; IMPACT SUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT; IMPACTO AMBIENTAL; MAMIFEROS; MAMMALS; MAMMIFERE; METABOLIC DISORDERS; OESTROGENE; OESTROGENS; ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS; PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS; POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS; POLYCHLORURE DE BIPHENYLE; SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS; SURFACTANT; SURFACTANTES; TRASTORNOS METABOLICOS; TROUBLE DU METABOLISME; XENOBIOTICAS; XENOBIOTICS; XENOBIOTIQUE
• ISSN: 0003-4118

The group of xeno-oestrogens includes substances which have the ability to interfere with the action of oestrogens through several mechanisms. They can act as agonists or antagonists of oestrogen receptors, but also by interaction with other receptors (aryl hydrocarbone, androgens) or by influencing the hormonal metabolism. Through these effects, such substances disrupt the normal functioning of the organism. Xeno-oestrogens belong to the group of endocrine disrupters. The aim of this paper is to summarize the current knowledge about xeno-oestrogens chemistry and pharmacology and emphasizes at the same time their environmental impact. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, furans, alkylphenolic compounds and organochlorines will be successively described.