Which pollutants are associated with endocrine disruption?
PCBs and environmental estrogens can disrupt endocrine function. Estrogens directly activate estrogen receptors, whereas PCB congeners or their metabolites may mimic hormones, antagonise receptors, or alter hormone synthesis, transport, and metabolism. The outcomes include changed development, reproduction, sex differentiation, and fertility. Carbon dioxide and methane primarily affect climate, while nitrate and phosphate are chiefly associated with nutrient enrichment rather than this specific toxic mechanism. Community-level consequences can emerge when physiological injury changes survival,
Ref: Campbell Biology, Urry et al., 12th Ed., Unit 8 Ecology