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  • Review Article
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Cellular and molecular features of EDC exposure: consequences for the GnRH network

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 17, pages 83–96 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The onset of puberty and the female ovulatory cycle are important developmental milestones of the reproductive system. These processes are controlled by a tightly organized network of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, as well as genetic, epigenetic and hormonal factors, which ultimately drive the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. They also strongly depend on organizational processes that take place during fetal and early postnatal life. Therefore, exposure to environmental pollutants such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during critical periods of development can result in altered brain development, delayed or advanced puberty and long-term reproductive consequences, such as impaired fertility. The gonads and peripheral organs are targets of EDCs, and research from the past few years suggests that the organization of the neuroendocrine control of reproduction is also sensitive to environmental cues and disruption. Among other mechanisms, EDCs interfere with the action of steroidal and non-steroidal receptors, and alter enzymatic, metabolic and epigenetic pathways during development. In this Review, we discuss the cellular and molecular consequences of perinatal exposure (mostly in rodents) to representative EDCs with a focus on the neuroendocrine control of reproduction, pubertal timing and the female ovulatory cycle.

Key points

  • Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the cellular organization of the hypothalamus, leading to persistent alterations of the reproductive axis.

  • The epigenetic, molecular and cellular organization of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone network is most vulnerable to EDCs during early development.

  • Effects of EDCs are not limited to classic agonist or antagonist action on sex steroid receptors but also induce long-lasting gene expression and epigenetic changes in the developing brain.

  • The study of low-dose complex mixtures is required to mimic real-world situations and better relate animal model studies to epidemiological data.

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Fig. 1: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and human health.
Fig. 2: GnRH neuron network.
Fig. 3: Epigenetic mechanisms targeted by EDCs in the brain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroendocrinology Unit, GIGA Neurosciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

    David Lopez-Rodriguez, Delphine Franssen, Julie Bakker & Anne-Simone Parent

  2. Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), OHSU, OR, USA

    Alejandro Lomniczi

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Anne-Simone Parent

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  1. David Lopez-Rodriguez
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Glossary

Nasal placode

The nasal placode derives from the neural ectoderm and gives rise to the olfactory epithelium and GnRH neurons.

Lowest observed adverse effect level

The lowest amount of a compound found to cause adverse effects in the morphology, physiology or development of a specific organism.

Arcuate nucleus

(ARC). A mediobasal hypothalamic nucleus orchestrating functions such as negative oestrogen feedback, metabolism and sleep.

Anteroventral periventricular nucleus

(AVPV). The anteroventral periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, located in the preoptic area, is a sexually dimorphic region involved in the preovulatory LH surge and sexual behaviour.

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Lopez-Rodriguez, D., Franssen, D., Bakker, J. et al. Cellular and molecular features of EDC exposure: consequences for the GnRH network. Nat Rev Endocrinol 17, 83–96 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-020-00436-3

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