Eco Toxicological Effects of Endocrine Disruptive Compounds (EDCs) in Aquatics (Especially in Fish): A Review

This report provides an assessment of recent investigations into endocrine disruption in fresh and saltwater species of fish. Most work to date has concentrated on reproductive endocrine disruption. Laboratory studies have shown a variety of synthetic and natural chemicals including certain industrial intermediates, PAHs, PCBs, pesticides, dioxins, trace elements and plant sterols can interfere with the endocrine system in fish. The potency of most of these chemicals, however, is typically hundreds to thousands of times less than that of endogenous hormones. Evidence of environmental endocrine disruption ranges from the presence of female egg proteins in males and reduced levels of endogenous hormones in both males and females, to gonadal histopathologies and intersex (presence of ovotestes) fish. Overt endocrine disruption in fish does not appear to be a ubiquitous environmental phenomenon, but rather more likely to occur near sewage treatment plants, pulp and paper mills, and in areas of high organic chemical contamination. However, more widespread endocrine disruption can occur in rivers with smaller flows and correspondingly large or numerous wastewater inputs. In the present study, we focused on natural or synthetic chemical compound in water that effect on endocrine gland in aquatic animal, specially the fish.