Jm. Navas et H. Segner, ANTIESTROGENIC ACTIVITY OF ANTHROPOGENIC AND NATURAL CHEMICALS, Environmental science and pollution research international, 5(2), 1998, pp. 75-82
A number of natural and man-made chemicals possess antiestrogenic acti
vity, i.e. they antagonize a broad spectrum of estrogen-induced respon
ses in vertebrates. Examples of antiestrogens include dioxin, furan an
d PCB congeners, certain PAHs, pesticides and indol-3-carbinol derivat
ives. Major mechanisms of antiestrogenicity are antagonistic action of
chemicals at the estrogen receptor, or binding of chemicals to the ar
ylhydrocarbon (Ah) receptor and subsequent interaction with estrogen-r
esponsive genes. Toxicological consequences resulting from antiestroge
nic activity have not been conclusively demonstrated to date, although
antiestrogenic compounds could critically affect sensitive reproducti
ve and developmental processes.