Current information on endocrine disruptors is scattered in many publications
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Many studies report presence of multiple disruptors in the same sample
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We include compounds mimicking estrogen, androgen, progesterone and glucocorticoids
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We review the evolution and tabulated methodologies for their detection
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The dynamic assisted loading mechanism highlights the complexity of hormonal actions
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We discuss the difficulties and propose solutions to control the contaminants
Abstract
Sex hormones, such as androgens, estrogens and progestins are naturally occurring compounds that tightly regulate endocrine systems in a variety of living organisms. Uncontrolled environmental exposure to these hormones or their biological and synthetic mimetics has been widely documented. Furthermore, water contaminants penetrate soil to affect flora, fauna and ultimately humans. Because endocrine systems evolved to respond to very small changes in hormone levels, the low levels found in the environment cannot be ignored. The combined actions of sex hormones with glucocorticoids and other nuclear receptors disruptors creates additional level of complexity including the newly described “dynamic assisted loading” mechanism. We reviewed the extensive literature pertaining to world-wide detection of these disruptors and created a detailed Table on the development and current status of methods used for their analysis.
