Disruptors of Androgen Action and Synthesis

Various environmental chemicals were found to exert antiandrogenic effects in animals, raising concerns about potential adverse effects in humans. These chemicals could disrupt androgen functions by competing with testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for the androgen receptor (AR) or by inhibiting key steroidogenic enzymes like cytochrome P450 17 and steroid 5α-reductase. Notable chemicals include pesticides like p,p-DDE and fungicides like vinclozolin, which caused reproductive malformations in male rats. While many compounds acted as estrogens, few acted as androgen mimics. The human health impact of environmental antiandrogens remained unclear.