Endocrine Disruptor Compounds (EDC) Effects on Reproduction

A large number of industrial chemical products (paints, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, pesticides) are suspected or proved to act as endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs). In the present survey of the literature, the main issue is to consider how to classify individual products as EDC or not. In this perspective, the different mechanisms leading to endocrine disruption are described: either by direct interaction with hormone receptors leading to its stimulation or inhibition, or by effect on endogenous hormone concentration through stimulation or inhibition of its synthesis or its degradation, or its binding to transport binding proteins. The present review takes particularly in consideration the effects of EDCs on the endocrine control of Reproduction in human and animals. Indeed, a number of EDCs can act as anti-androgens, anti-estrogens, and steroidogenic enzyme inhibitors that interfere with steroid action or production and thus can alter reproductive health.