Abstract
Environmental etiologies involving exposures to chemicals that mimic endogenous hormones are proposed for a number of adverse human health effects, including infertility, abnormal prenatal and childhood development, and reproductive cancers (CitationNational Research Council, 1999; CitationWorld Health Organization, 2002). Endocrine disrupters represent a significant area of environmental research with important implications for human health. This article provides an overview of some of the key developments in this field that may enhance our ability to assess the human health risks posed by exposure to endocrine disrupters. Advances in methodologies of hazard identification (toxicogenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics) are discussed, as well as epigenetics and emerging biological endpoints.
Financial support for this project was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (261905-03 to WGF). Salary support for Dr. Foster from the CIHR and the Ontario Women's Health Council is gratefully acknowledged.