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PROGRESS IN THE OECD WORK ON ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS TESTING AND ASSESSMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIES
Citation:
Gourmelon, A., T. Hutchinson, AND G T. Ankley. PROGRESS IN THE OECD WORK ON ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS TESTING AND ASSESSMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIES. Presented at SETAC Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, November 9-13, 2003.
Description:
The OECD Special Activity on endocrine disruptors testing and assessment (EDTA) started in 1996 at the request of member countries and industry with the objective to develop test methods for the detection and characterization of endocrine disrupting chemicals. The purpose of the EDTA Task Force is to ensure harmonization of testing strategies for screening and testing. Practical tools are also being developed to facilitate sharing of testing results and assessment. Importantly, the EDTA Task Force oversees validation work for newly developed and enhanced test methods, through Validation Management Groups (VMGs): i) mammalian toxicological tests, ii) ecotoxicological tests, and, iii) non-animal tests. Validation is necessary to establish the relevance and reliability of the test and its regulatory acceptance. A conceptual framework captures potential screening and testing needs in both human health and ecotoxicological areas. The framework attempts to identify tests at different levels of biological and regulatory complexity, including interactions with hormone receptors, tests in vivo at sensitive life stages and tests assessing transgenerational effects.
The VMG for ecotoxicity tests oversees the development and validation of test methods for fish, birds, amphibians and invertebrates. Initial validation of a fish screening assay for the detection of endocrine disrupters is underway. The assay comprises three core endpoints: vitellogenin measurement, gross chemicals acting as (anti) androgen and aromatase inhibitors. Longer term testing methods in fish are also considered. A frog metamorphosis assay is being developed for thyroid disruption. Avian reproduction tests are under discussion as well as invertebrate life-cycle tests.