Impact of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonad-Liver (HPGL) Axis in Fish

Abstract

3 Abstract: The aquatic ecosystem is one of the most exposed environments to pollutants. A lot of xenobiotics are known to disrupt the reproductive endocrine system. Fish are one of the primary risk organisms for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). In common with all vertebrates, reproduction in fish is controlled by the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonad-Liver (HPGL) axis. The multitude of hormones controlling this axis and the complexity of hormones regulation, make from the HPGL axis a major target of EDCs. Variation of hormones synthesis levels, disturbance of genes expression, alteration of gonads structure and disruption of live r functions were noted. HPGL axis represents so one of the most important endpoints in the risk assessment of EDCs. In this review, we seek to extract from recent literature concepts regarding the effects of EDCs on the endocrine reproductive system in fish that might be of interest to explain some alterations in the wide populations of fish.