Annual Review GENDER BENDERS AT THE BEACH: ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION IN MARINE AND ESTUARINE ORGANISMS

摘要

Several consensus definitions of the term endocrine disruptor have appeared recently, but all definitions include the important, though frequently, implicit, stipulation that the animal is not distressed or in obvious discomfort. Instead, a superficially healthy animal is experiencing alterations in hormone synthesis, transport, receptor interaction, metabolism, excretion, or feedback regulation. In addition, hormone disruption may occur during sex differentiation, and its effects may not be manifested until after sexual maturation.