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Of mice and men (and mosquitofish): Antiandrogens and androgens in the environment
Citation:
HOTCHKISS, A. K., G. T. ANKLEY, V. S. WILSON, P. C. HARTIG, E. J. DURHAN, K. M. JENSEN, D. MARTINOVIC, AND L. E. GRAY. Of mice and men (and mosquitofish): Antiandrogens and androgens in the environment. BIOSCIENCE. American Institute of Biological Sciences, MCLEAN, VA, 58(11):1037-1050, (2008).
Impact/Purpose:
Although testosterone was "discovered" in 1935 and its effects have been obvious throughout the history of mankind, the influence of this hormone on physical and sexual development and aging and its potentially therapeutic properties continue to inspire new research and considerable controversy. This review of androgen and antiandrogens in the environment begins by briefly covering the history of androgens. The manuscript then examines some of the physiological and behavioral roles that testosterone and, more broadly, androgens play across many different species including mammals. The last section of the manuscript considers some of the data on the adverse effects of disruption of the androgen signaling pathways in several different species. Overall, this manuscript will provide an overview of the role of androgens in basic biology and highlight some of the adverse effects resulting from exposure to environmental androgens and antiandrogens.
Description:
Androgens are hormones produced by the gonads and other endocrine organs of all vertebrates. Testosterone, along with its metabolite dihydrotestosterone, is critical for differentiation of the fetal male reproductive tract from an indifferent state, for the development of male traits during puberty and for maintenance of reproductive function in mature animals. The androgen signaling pathway is highly conserved in the reproductive system of all vertebrates from fish to humans; therefore, environmental chemicals have the potential to induce adverse effects in any vertebrate species. There are synthetic androgens present in the environment, and several pesticides and toxic substances display antiandrogenic activity. For example, exposure to mixtures of antiandrogens during sexual differentiation results in cumulative adverse effects in male rat offspring. Continued characterization of the role of androgens in reproduction and other systems is warranted to enable better understanding of the potential adverse effects of chemical disruption of androgen signaling.