ABSTRACT
Increasing evidence shows that many environmental contaminants can interact with the endocrine system of vertebrates. New evidence showing that many chemicals can disrupt developmental processes at contaminant levels that are not lethal or carcinogenic creates a sinister threat to wildlife and humans alike. Many environmental contaminants can cause developmental abnormalities that alter developmental patterns or impair reproductive capabilities. Although not necessarily fatal to the individual, these developmental effects can result in dramatic declines, and even complete losses of populations as recruitment decreases. Several environmental contaminants may interact with endogenous hormonal systems, and through these interactions induce developmental abnormalities. To date, the main hormonal systems noted to be affected are those of the sex steroids, glucocorticoids, and thyroid hormones.
