Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Effects on neuroendocrine systems and the neurobiology of social behavior

Abstract

A contribution to SBN/ICN special issue. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are pervasive in the environment. They are found in plastics and plasticizers (bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates), in industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and include some pesticides and fungicides such as vinclozolin. These chemicals act on hormone receptors and their downstream signaling pathways, and can interfere with hormone synthesis, metabolism, and actions. Because the developing brain is particularly sensitive to endogenous hormones, disruptions by EDCs can change neural circuits that form during periods of brain organization. Here, we review the evidence that EDCs affect developing hypothalamic neuroendocrine systems, and change behavioral outcomes in juvenile, adolescent, and adult life in exposed individuals, and even in their descendants. Our focus is on social, communicative and sociosexual behaviors, as how an individual behaves with a same- or opposite-sex conspecific determines that individual's ability to exist in a community, be selected as a mate, and reproduce successfully.

Keywords: Aroclor 1221; BPA; Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs); Gene expression; Hypothalamus; Phthalate; Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); Sex difference; Social behavior; Sociosexual behavior; Transgenerational; Ultrasonic vocalization; Vinclozolin.

Figure 1.

Schematic overview of effects of developmental EDC exposures on social and sociosexual behaviors, and on brain circuits involved in these processes. Along with direct EDC exposure effects on the F1 generation, we show the potential for inter- and transgenerational effects to be propagated across generations.