Tyler C R, Jobling S, Sumpter J P
Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex.
Crit Rev Toxicol. 1998 Jul;28(4):319-61. doi: 10.1080/10408449891344236.
In recent years, a number of man-made chemicals have been shown to be able to mimic endogenous hormones, and it has been hypothesized that alterations in the normal pattern of reproductive development seen in some populations of wildlife are linked with exposure to these chemicals. Of particular importance are those compounds that mimic estrogens and androgens (and their antagonists), because of their central role in reproductive function. In fact, the evidence showing that such chemicals actually do mimic (or antagonize) the action of hormones in the intact animal is limited. In only a few cases have laboratory studies shown that chemicals that mimic hormones at the molecular level (in vitro) also cause reproductive dysfunction in vivo at environmentally relevant concentrations. In addition, the reported studies on wild populations of animals are limited to a very few animal species and they have often centered on localized 'hot-spots' of chemical discharges. Nevertheless, many of these xenobiotics are persistent and accumulate in the environment, and therefore a more widespread phenomenon of endocrine disruption in wildlife is possible. This article reviews the evidence, from both laboratory and field studies, that exposure to steroid hormone mimics may impair reproductive function and critically assesses the weight of evidence for endocrine disruption in wildlife.
近年来，已证实多种人造化学物质能够模拟内源性激素，并且据推测，在一些野生动物种群中所观察到的正常生殖发育模式的改变与接触这些化学物质有关。特别重要的是那些模拟雌激素和雄激素（及其拮抗剂）的化合物，因为它们在生殖功能中起着核心作用。事实上，表明此类化学物质在完整动物体内确实能模拟（或拮抗）激素作用的证据有限。只有在少数情况下，实验室研究表明在分子水平上（体外）模拟激素的化学物质在环境相关浓度下也会在体内导致生殖功能障碍。此外，已报道的关于野生动物种群的研究仅限于极少数动物物种，并且这些研究常常集中在化学物质排放的局部“热点”地区。然而，许多此类外源性物质具有持久性并在环境中积累，因此野生动物内分泌干扰现象更广泛存在是有可能的。本文综述了来自实验室和实地研究的证据，即接触类固醇激素模拟物可能损害生殖功能，并严格评估了野生动物内分泌干扰证据的权重。
