Effects of agricultural pesticides on the reproductive system of aquatic wildlife species, with crocodilians as sentinel species

TAVALIERI, Y.E.; GALOPPO, G.H.; CANESINI, G.; LUQUE, E.H.; MUÑOZ DE TORO, M.

MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY.

ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2020

0303-7207

Abstract: Agricultural pesticides represent a significant class ofendocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to which non-target organismsaround the world are constantly exposed. Laboratory studies have foundstrong evidence showing the endocrine-disruptive potential of thesepesticides at environmentally relevant exposure levels. Since the fieldof endocrine disruption continues to grow in richness and complexity,this review aims to provide an update on the effects of two agriculturalpesticides that act as EDCs: atrazine and endosulfan. We will focusmainly on the effects on crocodilians due to their worldwide occurrencein tropical and sub-tropical wetland ecosystems and their ecological andphysiological features, which render them vulnerable to exposure topesticides with endocrine-disrupting action at all life stages. Theresults here reviewed provide important insights into the effects ofhormonally active agricultural pesticides at cellular, tissue, and organlevels in the reproductive system of crocodiles. A better understandingof the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant doses of EDCs onthe reproductive system of crocodilians will contribute to protect andimprove the health of both wildlife species and humans.