Effect of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on HPG Axis: A Reproductive Endocrine Homeostasis

Abstract

The hypothalamic–pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis plays a crucial and integrative role in the mammalian endocrine regulation to maintain homeostasis. The HPG axis is primarily responsible for governing all the hormonal events related to reproductive activity. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) comprise a diverse group of naturally occurring and synthetic compounds that mimic and interfere with the endogenous chemical hormones. Epidemiological investigations have shown increasing evidence of altered development and detrimental effects on reproductive health during the past 50 years associated with endocrine disruptors affecting the HPG axis. The pleiotropic harmful effects of EDCs act through hormone-dependent downstream signaling pathways responsible for gonad development either through direct interaction with steroid hormone receptor or via epigenetic regulation. Hence, this chapter summarizes the biological plausibility of EDCs exposure and elucidates the mechanism of action underlying EDCs affecting the regulatory circuits of the mammalian HPG axis and reproductive function.