Practice question

Among classic endocrine disruptors, diethylstilbestrol most clearly exemplifies synthetic estrogen mimicry. DES contains stilbene backbone with phenolic groups spatially resembling estradiol enabling high-affinity agonism at estrogen receptors alpha and beta, activating transcription of estrogen-dependent genes in uterus, vagina and mammary tissue. While BPA binds estrogen receptors with much lower potency and atrazine elevates estrogen indirectly via aromatase induction, DES directly substitutes estrogen, causing persistent estrogenization of developing Mullerian ducts. Cyclopamine targets hedgehog signaling, not estrogen. Consequently DES stands as archetypal estrogen-mimicking teratogen with potent hormonal activity.